Skip to main content
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

The Power BI Data Visualization World Championships is back! Get ahead of the game and start preparing now! Learn more

Reply
Chris_W17
Regular Visitor

Import files using Folder data source, where individual files may have different column counts and .

Good morning community,

I am trying to import files using Folder Data source. Tha files are CSV. The files are outputted daily from an online reporting portal.  The report will only populate a column if data exist. If no data exist on for that day, the column for that data is excluded in that file.  So, one file may have 12 named columns and another could have 10 named columns.  From day to day it cannot be determined which colums will show up, as a result the column order and count changes.  This process needs to be automated.  Is it possible to create a persistant table with all possible columns, and have each file, as it is loaded, dynamically map to the correct column? If so, how? Or, does anyone have a better solution?  Thanks.

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION
Greg_Deckler
Community Champion
Community Champion

@Chris_W17 Create a calculated column for each of your 12 possible columns. You could use this format:

try [Column] otherwise null

After this is done, select your calculated columns and Remove other columns. Then rename your columns.



Follow on LinkedIn
@ me in replies or I'll lose your thread!!!
Instead of a Kudo, please vote for this idea
Become an expert!: Enterprise DNA
External Tools: MSHGQM
YouTube Channel!: Microsoft Hates Greg
Latest book!:
DAX For Humans

DAX is easy, CALCULATE makes DAX hard...

View solution in original post

1 REPLY 1
Greg_Deckler
Community Champion
Community Champion

@Chris_W17 Create a calculated column for each of your 12 possible columns. You could use this format:

try [Column] otherwise null

After this is done, select your calculated columns and Remove other columns. Then rename your columns.



Follow on LinkedIn
@ me in replies or I'll lose your thread!!!
Instead of a Kudo, please vote for this idea
Become an expert!: Enterprise DNA
External Tools: MSHGQM
YouTube Channel!: Microsoft Hates Greg
Latest book!:
DAX For Humans

DAX is easy, CALCULATE makes DAX hard...

Helpful resources

Announcements
Power BI DataViz World Championships

Power BI Dataviz World Championships

The Power BI Data Visualization World Championships is back! Get ahead of the game and start preparing now!

December 2025 Power BI Update Carousel

Power BI Monthly Update - December 2025

Check out the December 2025 Power BI Holiday Recap!

FabCon Atlanta 2026 carousel

FabCon Atlanta 2026

Join us at FabCon Atlanta, March 16-20, for the ultimate Fabric, Power BI, AI and SQL community-led event. Save $200 with code FABCOMM.