Error message when a column was removed from data source that were referenced

[Anonymous]

How can I fix an error I'm getting when I load the data? A column was removed from the data source so when it syncs it has an error as the column is referenced something done in the applied steps.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the reply from lbendlin , please allow me to provide another insight:

Hi, @Anonymous 

Currently, if you are unfamiliar with how your M language is structured, I recommend searching for and removing items line by line. For example:

My original data is as follows, and there is a custom column referencing the ID2 column that we intend to delete:

Now, we will remove the ID2 column from the original data:

If we apply this directly now, it will certainly result in an error:

We just need to open Power Query and enter the Advanced Editor:

A common first step is to change the data type, so we can delete that section:

If there are any referencing columns, delete the entire row:

You should note that each row corresponds to an application step in Power Query, so you need to check each line to see if the ID2 column has been applied, ensuring that every line in the let section, except for the last one, ends with a comma.

Finally, rename your last line to match the output section in the "in" part:

This should allow for normal output.

If there are any measures or calculated columns in the desktop section that reference this column, the most straightforward approach is to delete them again.

I hope my example helps you!

Please find the attached pbix relevant to the case.

Best Regards,

Leroy Lu

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly
 

[lbendlin]

How can I fix an error I'm getting when I load the data? 

1. Don't remove columns.

2.  Use Table.SelectColumns rather than Table.RemoveColumns.

3. Read about how to manage missing columns in Power Query code.