Changing single column names in a visual

[JohnGray]

Hello,

I have muliple visuals put together based on a singular data source that I need to pull regular reports from. Some of the columns in these visuals are labeled as "Blank" in teh data source to account for columns where the data should be left blank. However, I would ideally like to rename each indivudual "Blank" in a visual as a field name (have some named Test1 and others named Test2 for example within the same visual). However, if I changed one "Blank" to then read "Test1", all the "Blank" columns change to read "Test1" when I only want one of the Blanks to read "Test1".

Is there a way to only change the name of a single column in a visual when the source is used multiple times? 

[AllisonKennedy]

@JohnGray  I'm a bit confused on what your raw data model looks like, but I think changing the field name just for this visual might help?

[JohnGray]

Hi Allison, I've attached a screenshot with an example of what I mean - selecting the "Rename for this Visual" option for a single "Blank" turns all the columns that say "Blank" in the left screenshot into all of the ones in the right screenshot saying "Help". I was hoping there was a way to give each "Blank" an individual name. 

[AllisonKennedy · Accepted solution]

@JohnGray  ah, yes I see what you mean now. There's no way to do that since they are the same column. You could create a new calculated column and rename it, then use that calculated column in the visual. Does that make sense? I'm assuming you've changed the aggregation on the column for each of the three blanks (ie one uses SUM, one uses COUNT, one uses AVERAGE). If that's the case you could also create explicit measures for each value. Otherwise please also share some sample data so we can see where the blank columns are coming from if I'm still not understanding. 

[JohnGray]

Hello Allison, 

Thank you for your confirmation. Unfortunately, there's not even any data in these columns, they're truly just supposed to be bank with different header names. I was hoping there was a way around having to make a bunch of differently named blank columns, but it is what it is. 

[AllisonKennedy]

@JohnGray  Yeah, unfortunately no way around it yet. You could always add an idea to Power BI ideas.

Depending on how you're using these, it might be slightly faster/more efficient to create a blank Measure rather than an entire column. Still a hassle, but an option.