Variable code in advanced editor

[e17aguilar]

I'm wondering if I can replace a piece of code in the advanced editor with a parameter (or something else) that contents the same piece of code. For example, if I want to change the type of each column:

1) This is the line recorded by Power Query Editor, and I want to replace the bolded code with a parameter (because the numbers of columns can change in this query, and also the columns name can change):

#"Changed Type" = Table.TransformColumnTypes(#"Promoted Headers", {{""Etap"", Int64.Type}, {""Ser."", Int64.Type}, {""Bloq"", Int64.Type}}),

2) Then I create a text parameter, named Parameter1, with the following value:

 {{""Etap"", Int64.Type}, {""Ser."", Int64.Type}, {""Bloq"", Int64.Type}}

3) And try to replace the parameter in the advanced editor line (I'm not sure of the syntax):

#"Changed Type" = Table.TransformColumnTypes(#"Promoted Headers", Parameter1),

4) But this error message is displayed:

Let me know if there is any other way to replace a piece of code with something else instead of a parameter. Mainly because I have a variable number of columns in a query.

Thank you in advance for your help.

[v-danhe-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @e17aguilar,

Based on my test, you could refer to below steps:

Create the parameter in the query editor and just enter the column name like the picture below:

Modify the code in the advanced language:

Now you could see the result.

Regards,

Daniel He

[v-danhe-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @e17aguilar,

Based on my test, you could refer to below steps:

Create the parameter in the query editor and just enter the column name like the picture below:

Modify the code in the advanced language:

Now you could see the result.

Regards,

Daniel He

[e17aguilar · Accepted solution]

Hi Daniel,

Many thanks for your help. You helped me to unterstand that I should use a variable list instead of a parameter. 

I continued my research with this idea on mind, and I found this post, by THE BICCOUNTANT:

https://www.thebiccountant.com/2017/01/09/dynamic-bulk-type-transformation-in-power-query-power-bi-a...

They explain in a very short and simple way how to dynamically change the type from each column in a table, using a list that contains the name of all columns from the queried table.

Kind regards, 

Ernesto J. Aguilar

[v-danhe-msft]

Hi @e17aguilar,

Thanks for your sharing, It's pleasant that your problem has been solved, could you please mark the helpful reply as Answered?

Regards,

Daniel He