Power Query | First 2 Columns (Excel)

[ovetteabejuela]

Hi,

Need some help.

Basically I'm expanding a Table where I only need the first 2 columns, the problem with that table(source) is that there is actually no column names. So it's like the first row is already a data.

So, I'm in this line now:

    #"Expand Step Name" = Table.ExpandTableColumn(#"Previous Step", "Column Name", {"a data in column 1, row 1", "a data in column 2, row 1"}, {"a data in column 1, row 1", "a data in column 2, row 1"})

The problem is that all the workbooks would have different values in both Column 1, Row 1 and Column 2, Row 1 .

That's were I'm needing help.

[RMDNA]

@ovetteabejuela,

The most simple solution I can think of: is there a way to get column names?

I find it hard to believe that any significant amount of data would be stored in tables without column names.

[ovetteabejuela]

Yes I've thought of that, the creator of the source really did not intend to make it that way - database friendly I mean.

If I would have to insert column names then I would have to do it to multitudes of password protected workbooks, could be a tedious process.

Open Workbook

Unprotect Workbook

Unhide Sheet

Unprotect Sheet

Go to the concerning tab

Insert a row

Add the Header Names

Hide Sheet

Protect Sheet

Protect Workbook

[RMDNA]

Oh, I totally agree with you - that would suck. My answer remains the same, though: do you have access to this person to make them properly add column names, or to the source itself?

If not, in your current situation, I can't think of a way to accomplish what you want. If the data is essentially random with no consistent structure, there's not much Power BI can do.

[ovetteabejuela]

"that sucks" - yeah exactly same feeling I got when I found out. I can try to convince the owner but I'm still kind of hoping that there's still a 'M'-agic available for situations like this.

Thanks for your input.