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A step-by-step guide for easily converting all columns in a Power Query table to text type, regardless of the number of columns in your dataset.
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How to Convert All Columns to TEXT in Power Query

Power Query is a powerful tool for data transformation, allowing you to manipulate data easily from various sources. However, if you have a dynamic dataset where the number of columns can change with every refresh, you might run into challenges when you want to convert all columns to a specific type, such as TEXT.

In this guide, we'll explore a simple solution that lets you convert all columns in a table to TEXT type without needing to manually select the columns. This method will ensure your data remains consistent, regardless of its changing structure.

The Challenge: Dynamic Column Types

When dealing with data in Power Query, you might find situations where:

The number of columns changes each time you refresh your dataset.

You need all columns to be in a specific format, such as TEXT, for further processing or analysis.

Manually selecting columns each time is tedious and inefficient. Thankfully, Power Query allows us to automate this process.

Solution: Transforming All Columns to TEXT Type

To convert all columns in your dataset to TEXT, you can use the Table.TransformColumnTypes function. Here's a step-by-step guide to implement it:

Step 1: Access Power Query Editor

Open your desired dataset in Power BI or Excel.

Navigate to the Home tab and select Transform Data to open the Power Query Editor.

Step 2: Add a New Step

Within the Power Query Editor, you will need to add a new step. You can do this by modifying the code in the Advanced Editor or by using the formula bar.

Step 3: Use the Following Code

Copy and paste the following code snippet into the Advanced Editor or your transformation steps. This code will automatically convert all columns to TEXT type:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation of the Code:

Table.TransformColumnTypes: This function is used to change the data types of columns in a table.

Source: This represents your original data source in Power Query.

List.Transform: This function generates a list based on the column names of the Source table.

Table.ColumnNames(Source): Retrieves a list of all column names from the original table.

each {_, type text}: This lambda function creates a list of lists, mapping each column name to the TEXT type.

Step 4: Apply Changes and Close the Editor

Once you have added and confirmed the code, make sure to:

Click on Close & Load.

Your data will now automatically convert all current and future columns to TEXT type.

Conclusion

With the above method, you can efficiently manage your data transformations in Power Query without the need for manual intervention each time the dataset structure changes. Remember, using functions like Table.TransformColumnTypes paired with List.Transform allows for flexible and dynamic data handling.

Now, you'll never have to worry about column types when refreshing your data again!

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment below!