Dynamic column filtering in a table with multiple headers

You’re trying to dynamically hide/show grouped columns with multiple headers in a Fabric (Power BI) table or matrix. Right now you’ve managed single header filtering, but extending to multi-level headers like “1 → 1A,1B,1C” and “2 → 2A,2B,2C” is trickier. Here’s how you can approach it:

1. Model Your Data for Flexibility

Instead of storing each column as a separate field (1A, 1B, 1C, etc.), restructure into a normalized format:

• Columns: Category, SubCategory, Value.

• Example row: 1 | A | 123.
  This lets you control visibility with slicers, because headers are now data instead of hard-coded columns.

2. Use a Matrix with Field Parameters

Power BI supports Field Parameters, which allow end users to dynamically pick which columns/fields to display.
Steps:

1. Create a field parameter with all possible measures (1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C).

2. Group them logically by categories (parameter table can include an extra “Category” column).

3. Add a slicer bound to this parameter so users filter which groups or sub-groups to show.

This way:

• If filter = X, you select 1A,1B,2A,2B in the slicer.

• If filter = Y, you only select 1A and 2A.

3. Build Hierarchical Headers

The Matrix visual automatically supports stepped layouts:

• Put “Category” (1,2) in Columns level 1.

• Put “SubCategory” (A,B,C) in Columns level 2.
  Now you get a structure like the screenshot, with expandable headers.

4. Apply Dynamic Logic

To automate X vs Y logic instead of manual slicer choice:

• Create a disconnected table for filter selection (X,Y).

• Write DAX to filter the field parameter table based on selection.
  Example:

VisibleColumns =
FILTER (
    'Field Parameters',
    ( SELECTEDVALUE(FilterTable[Filter]) = "X" &&
      'Field Parameters'[ColumnName] IN {"1A","1B","2A","2B"} )
    ||
    ( SELECTEDVALUE(FilterTable[Filter]) = "Y" &&
      'Field Parameters'[ColumnName] IN {"1A","2A"} )
)

Then bind VisibleColumns to the Matrix.

5. Limitations

• You cannot truly “hide” a column header dynamically in Power BI unless you use Field Parameters or measures. Otherwise, blank values still show.

• For Fabric, the recommended way is to restructure data and use Matrix + Parameters, not to manage static wide tables.