populating empty slots with data

[alex-JF]

Hi there,

I need some kind of way to populate column "name" with names by some algorithm going through names, in indexed order and if name field empty previous name from previous fields from the same column should be used, until it reaches new name and starts populate fields with new name. I've been trying to create funtion for that but it's just too complicated for me, need help.

Added examples of data what I've got (left picture), and what I want to get (right picture) Examples created in Excel but the real data in power bi and I need a solution for it

[alex-JF]

https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/Dax-fill-down-in-formula/m-p/318991
something along this topic, but it can't work with string type, which I need here 

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi @alex-JF ,

Plesae create a calculated column.

Name 2 = 
VAR _index =
    CALCULATE (
        MAX ( 'Table'[Index] ),
        FILTER (
            ALL ( 'Table' ),
            'Table'[Index] <= EARLIER ( 'Table'[Index] )
                && 'Table'[name] <> ""
        )
    )
VAR _result =
    CALCULATE (
        MAX ( 'Table'[name] ),
        FILTER ( ALL ( 'Table' ), 'Table'[Index] = _index )
    )
RETURN
    _result

Best Regards,
Gao
Community Support Team

If there is any post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution  to help the other members find it more quickly. If I misunderstand your needs or you still have problems on it, please feel free to let us know. Thanks a lot!

How to get your questions answered quickly --  How to provide sample data in the Power BI Forum

[alex-JF]

Many thanks, works like a charm!

[alex-JF]

It could solve this problem, but I'm getting this table as a result of some calculation inside power bi, working with data after power query stage. So it should some kind of "for like" cicle inside of power bi 

[m_dekorte]

Hi @alex-JF,

Bring your table into Power Query

Make sure the [Name] column has nulls not empty text strings. If it does contain empty text strings go to the Transform tab, make sure the [Name] column is highlighted, select "Replace values" leave the search for field blank and enter null in the replace with field (do not add quotes!). Now you should see nulls in the empty spaces (with a right alignment)

Final step is right click the column header, select Fill, Fill Down

Ps. If this helps solve your query please mark this post as Solution, thanks!