Table with no rows causes dataflow refresh to fail

[CAUK]

In PBi Service, I have a dataflow where one of the tables has no rows. I reference to a data table and then 'Keep duplicate rows', and this returns no rows, which is the answer I want.

I want to be able to look at that table in a report as a way of checking for problems.

However, this blank table is now preventing the dataflow from refreshing: "PipelineException: Value cannot be null."

If I disable loading of that tabel, all is well, but then I can't use it in my reports. Ideas as to what's going on?

[CAUK]

Thank you!

[nilendraFabric · Accepted solution]

Hi @CAUK 

Please try adding a Dummy Row to your table when it would otherwise be empty. You can do this by modifying your query in Power Query:
1. After your “Keep duplicate rows” step, add a new step using the following M code:

= Table.FirstN(#"Previous Step", each true, 1)

Then add another step to append a dummy row:

= Table.InsertRows(#"Previous Step", 0, {[Column1 = null, Column2 = null, ...]})

This will ensure there’s always at least one row in your table, even if it’s just nulls

Please give kudos and accept solution if this is helpful