Data source error: Expression. Error: The column wasn't found

[NBHANE]

Hello,

I have a sharepoint list. This list feeds into Power BI. I spent a consirerbale amount of time building the reports linked to it.

All was working fine - untl today. When I got the below error:

Data source error: Expression.Error: The column 'Name facilitating the event' of the table wasn't found.. Name facilitating the event. 

I have not edited, renamed or moved this column - but can't figure out how to fix it....

I just need to know what to do to fix the isse, everything looks correct, but tried to refresh and just keeps failing 

[v-dineshya]

Hi @NBHANE ,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community Forum.

Please follow below steps:

1. Check the column name carefully in SharePoint: Open the SharePoint list. Go to List Settings (gear icon ➔ List Settings). Look under Columns.

Find the internal name of the column: Click on the column. Look at the URL — there will be something like &Field=NameFacilitatingEvent. This internal name must match what Power BI expects. If the name changed slightly, you'll have to update your query in Power BI.

2. Open Power BI ➔ Transform Data ➔ Find the Step that Fails: In Power BI Desktop, go to Transform Data (Power Query Editor). Step through each Applied Step on the right side. Find where the error starts (you'll probably see the red error on the "Navigation" or "Removed Other Columns" or "Renamed Columns" step). If you spot a reference to 'Name facilitating the event', it might need: Updated to the new column name, OR Deleted/adjusted if the column no longer exists.

3. Fix the M Query : You might have M code that looks like:

#"Renamed Columns" = Table.RenameColumns(#"Previous Step", {{"Old Column Name", "New Column Name"}})
or

#"Removed Other Columns" = Table.SelectColumns(#"Previous Step", {"Name facilitating the event", "Other Columns"})
If "Name facilitating the event" no longer exists, you either: Update the M code to reflect the correct name Or remove that column from the list of selected columns.

4. Refresh Data Preview: After adjusting, click Close & Apply in Power BI. Try to refresh again.

If the Column is Missing Completely? If the column is totally gone from SharePoint (maybe someone deleted it by accident):
You might need to re-add the column to the list (with exactly the same internal name). Or adjust your reports to not depend on it.

Note: Even if you see the column visually in SharePoint, Power BI depends on the internal name — not the display name. If the internal name changed, Power BI treats it like a missing column.

Can you please refer community threads.

Solved: Expression.Error: The column 'Column1' of the tabl... - Microsoft Fabric Community

Solved: The column " of the table wasn't found - Microsoft Fabric Community

Solved: How do I fix: "Expression.Error: The column 'Displ... - Microsoft Fabric Community

Solved: Error: The column 'xxx' of the table wasn't found.... - Microsoft Fabric Community

Solved: Expression.Error: "The column of the table wasn't ... - Microsoft Fabric Community

Expression.Error: Column ' ' of the table not found. Trying to refresh - Microsoft Community

If my response has resolved your query, please mark it as the Accepted Solution to assist others. Additionally, a 'Kudos' would be appreciated if you found my response helpful.

Thank you

[v-dineshya]

Hi @NBHANE ,

As we haven’t heard back from you, we wanted to kindly follow up to check if the solution provided for the issue worked? or Let us know if you need any further assistance?
If our response addressed, please mark it as Accept as solution and consider giving a KUDOS. Feel free to reach out if you need further assistance.

Regards,

Dinesh

[v-dineshya]

Hi @NBHANE ,

As we haven’t heard back from you, we wanted to kindly follow up to check if the solution provided for the issue worked? or Let us know if you need any further assistance?
If our response addressed, please mark it as Accept as solution and consider giving a KUDOS. Feel free to reach out if you need further assistance.

Regards,

Dinesh

[v-dineshya]

Hi @NBHANE ,

As we haven’t heard back from you, we wanted to kindly follow up to check if the solution provided for the issue worked? or Let us know if you need any further assistance?
If our response addressed, please mark it as Accept as solution and consider giving a KUDOS. Feel free to reach out if you need further assistance.

Regards,

Dinesh

[NBHANE]

Thank you, but was really just hoping to fix the exisiting issue

[lbendlin]

How many columns are you pulling from the list? How many of these are lookup columns?

[NBHANE]

16 columns. 6 are lookup. 

[lbendlin]

There is a limit on lookup columns. You can only have 6. Anything above that will be randomly dropped.

[NBHANE]

Sorry just double checked it's only 5 lookup colums that pull through to the first part of the list. 

[lbendlin]

Create a view on the SharePoint list that only includes the columns you really really need. Then use the SharePoint List connector v2 and use that view.

[NBHANE]

Thank you, but was really just hoping to fix the exisiting issue