The column 'XXX' was not found

[Madhumitha_Mano]

Hi All,
Help me solve a basic query (sorry I'm a amaturer in Power BI). I have imported data from Excel on my local drive. Now there are some columns that i haven't used for any visuals and would like to delete it. But when i delete the column and refresh the report an error msg pops-up saying "The column 'XXX' of the table wasn't found".
How to delete data (columns here) without any error on my report ( Note: there were no impacted visuals)

[zenisekd · Accepted solution]

Hi, 

This error appears if the XXX column was used somewhere - either in Power Query ( e.g. for merge or re-orderd then columns or something else) or it was used in Power BI desktop... used as a filter or something like that. 

I suggest you go to Power Query and delete the column(s) there. 

Kudos and mark as solution appreciated.

[v-xiandat-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @Madhumitha_Mano ,

zenisekd 's solution is right.The error message occurs when a column name changes or is removed altogether from the data source. In the background, Power Query is attempting to locate a specific column name that no longer exists.

The quickest solution is to go into the Power Query editor, locate the step that is causing the problem (most likely the "Changed Type" step), and remove the step completely.

Do you still use the columns in this table somewhere, and have you done a merge append in the power query?

Best Regards,

Xianda Tang

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[zenisekd · Accepted solution]

Hi, 

This error appears if the XXX column was used somewhere - either in Power Query ( e.g. for merge or re-orderd then columns or something else) or it was used in Power BI desktop... used as a filter or something like that. 

I suggest you go to Power Query and delete the column(s) there. 

Kudos and mark as solution appreciated.