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Anonymous's avatar
Anonymous
Not applicable
2 years ago
Solved

Creating a custom column with multiple TRUE responses

Beginner user to powerbi/power query....I am trying to create a custom column which returns true or false when two separate columns both equal "true". 

e.g. "if [column1] OR [column2] = "true" then "true" else "false", but it returns a 'token 'then' expected error. What's the best way to create columns based on multiple true values?

  • Anonymous 

    If you can use the following method as well in a new custom column, it evaluates to True when both the columns are true:

    [Column1] and [Column2]

     

  • BA_Pete's avatar
    BA_Pete
    2 years ago

    Hi Anonymous ,

     

    I think this is probably due to your column formats. I've assumed they are text format as your example stated "true" as the condition.

    If the columns to be evaluated are actually boolean data type, then you can use the shortcut that Fowmy has suggested, something like this:

    if [Column1] or [Column2] then "true"
    else "false"

     

    The above will output text values. If you want to output actual boolean type, then just remove the quote marks from the output values:

    if [Column1] or [Column2] then true
    else false

     

    Pete

4 Replies

  • Anonymous 

    If you can use the following method as well in a new custom column, it evaluates to True when both the columns are true:

    [Column1] and [Column2]

     

  • Hi Anonymous ,

     

    The correct syntax to use in Power Query would be this:

    if [Column1] = "true" or [Column2] = "true" then "true"
    else "false"

     

    Pay close attention to the capitalisation as well - Power Query is entirely case-sensitive.

     

    Pete

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    Not applicable

    Thank BA_Pete - the syntax works, but all results appear false when I'm expecting most to be true. I've been mindful of case sensitivity and checked both ways but the same problem persists.

    • BA_Pete's avatar
      BA_Pete
      Super User

      Hi Anonymous ,

       

      I think this is probably due to your column formats. I've assumed they are text format as your example stated "true" as the condition.

      If the columns to be evaluated are actually boolean data type, then you can use the shortcut that Fowmy has suggested, something like this:

      if [Column1] or [Column2] then "true"
      else "false"

       

      The above will output text values. If you want to output actual boolean type, then just remove the quote marks from the output values:

      if [Column1] or [Column2] then true
      else false

       

      Pete