Dynamically Select Columns in Power Query M

Keeps only the columns from a list that actually exist, instead of erroring if one is missing.

Column OperationsIntermediateselect columnsdynamicschema

Power Query M code

let
    Source = YourTable,
    ColumnsToKeep = {"OrderID", "OrderDate", "Amount"},
    ExistingColumns = List.Intersect({Table.ColumnNames(Source), ColumnsToKeep}),
    SelectedColumns = Table.SelectColumns(Source, ExistingColumns)
in
    SelectedColumns

Notes

Update ColumnsToKeep with the columns you want, in any order.

Requirements

How to use this snippet

  1. In Power BI Desktop, choose Transform data to open Power Query, then open the Advanced Editor on a query (or start from a blank query).
  2. Paste the snippet and replace the placeholder names (tables, columns, file paths) with your own. Check the requirements above first.
  3. Run it through the Power Query M Formatter to tidy the layout.

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