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thinkpad's avatar
thinkpad
Regular Visitor
2 years ago
Solved

Difference between Choose columns and Remove Columns in Power query

Hi Experts,

 

 

Could anyone please tell me the difference between Choose Columns and Remove columns in Power Query. I'm very confused and seeing the same output. apprecaite help.

  • thinkpad as always the answer is "it depends..."

     

    A simple example, when using Table.SelectColumns any "new columns" won't be included automatically whereas with Table.RemoveColumns they will. That is the choice you have to make.

     

    Of course, that's without taking dynamic column name lists into consideration...

    I hope this is helpful

4 Replies

  • m_dekorte's avatar
    m_dekorte
    Resident Rockstar

    Hi thinkpad 

     

    These actions call a differen M function.

    • Choose Columns calls the M function Table.SelectColumns: This function is used when you want to keep only specific columns from a table. You provide the table and a list of column names you want to keep, and it returns a new table with only those columns.

    • Table.RemoveColumns: is used when you want to remove certain columns from a table. You provide the table and a list of column names you want to remove, and it returns a new table without those columns.

    Both are equipped with an optional MissingField.Type this allows you to specify what should happen if a column reference is missing or does not match a provided column name.

     

    I hope this is helpful

    • thinkpad's avatar
      thinkpad
      Regular Visitor

      Thanks mate for the response. But under which situations we should go for Choose or Remove Columns?

      • m_dekorte's avatar
        m_dekorte
        Resident Rockstar

        thinkpad as always the answer is "it depends..."

         

        A simple example, when using Table.SelectColumns any "new columns" won't be included automatically whereas with Table.RemoveColumns they will. That is the choice you have to make.

         

        Of course, that's without taking dynamic column name lists into consideration...

        I hope this is helpful