Invoking custom function from within a query

[gvg]

Hi all,

I don't seem to find correct syntax to invoke my custom function from a query. I have this function called xReplace that changes a lot of strings into something else. The function has no parameters - I simply need to place (get executed) instructions of the function so that I do not have to type them again in every query.

(mySource) =>
let
    #"Replaced Value" = Table.ReplaceValue(mySource,"ABC","123",Replacer.ReplaceText,{"ProductID"}),
    #"Replaced Value2" = Table.ReplaceValue(#"Replaced Value","DDD","456",Replacer.ReplaceText,{"ProductID"})
 
in
    #"Replaced Value2"

I am trying to do it like this, but Power BI complains, that it cannot convert a value of type Table to type List.

let
    Source = ....
    my = Function.Invoke(xReplace,#"Renamed Columns")
in
    my

Any ideas what am I doing wrong here?

[MarcelBeug · Accepted solution]

Function.Invoke expects a list as second argument.

It should be OK if you put the argument between curly brackets.

let
    Source = ....
    my = Function.Invoke(xReplace,{#"Renamed Columns"})
in
    my

Otherwise you might consider not to use Function.Invoke and just call the function directly.

I don't think Function.Invoke has any added value in this case.

[gvg]

Great, thanks! How do I call function directly? I thought I should use Invoke?

[MarcelBeug]

By the way, for multiple replacements you might consider using List.Accumulate.

You can find an example in my answer on this post on StackOverflow.

[gvg]

---

@MarcelBeug wrote:

By the way, for multiple replacements you might consider using List.Accumulate.

---

I understand this is to change individual characters. I need to change the whole phrases.

[MarcelBeug]

In the example I may have used List.Accumulate to replace single characters.

In the video below, you can find more information about List.Accumulate with an explanation on how to change substrings starting at at 3:23.