In managing and processing data for your business applications, there will often be situations where you need to create new columns or modify existing ones in your data tables. Not only is it an essential process in organizing data, but it is also a crucial aspect in the PL-200 Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant exam where your mastery of Power Platform’s capabilities and functionalities will be evaluated. One of its key functionalities is the handling and managing of data which includes column manipulation.
1. Creating New Columns in Power Platform
In Power Platform, you can build new columns to separate and categorize your data better. Here is an example of creating a new column in a data table:
First, navigate to the ‘Data Table’ that you want to add a column to and click on ‘Add Column’. Enter a ‘Name’ for your new column and choose a ‘Data type’. Each data type has certain properties in it that make it suitable to be used for different kinds of data requirements. Microsoft provides a diverse range of data types like Text, Option Set, Currency, Date and Time, Whole Number, Decimal Number, and so on. Click on ‘Done’ after selecting the appropriate data type for your column.
2. Modifying Existing Columns in Power Platform
In cases where you need to change the properties of an existing column, Power Platform also offers the functionality to modify these columns.
You can navigate to the ‘Data table’ and select the column you want to modify. Click on ‘Manage Columns’ and select the column you want to modify. Here, you can change the ‘Display Name’, ‘Description’, ‘Data type’ (if the column is not yet used), and other properties depending on the data type chosen.
Remember, certain modifications are irreversible or may impact your data or business applications heavily depending on the change. For example, if you change the data type of an existing column from ‘Text’ to ‘Number’, Power Platform will erase all existing data in that column because texts cannot be converted into numbers.
Note: Microsoft’s Power Platform does not allow changes to the data type of a column if it’s already being used in your applications or data because it may lead to data inconsistencies or loss.
| Before Modification | After Modification | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Customer Name | Client Name |
| Data Type | Text | Text |
| Display Name | Customer | Client |
These column management skills are central to handling and organizing data as a Functional Consultant in Microsoft Power Platform. Gaining proficiency in these tasks will not only help you during your PL-200 examination but also ensure your success in the field of data management and application development.
Remember to practice these steps frequently as the key to mastering Power Platform is understanding its functionalities thoroughly and gaining hands-on experience with the tool. By understanding the impact of each column change and knowing when and how to best implement them, you can acquire the skills of an effective Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant.
Practice Test
True or False: In Power Platform, it’s possible to modify the data type of an existing column?
- Answer: False
Explanation: Within Power Platform, once a column has been created and its data type has been set, the data type cannot be altered.
Which of the following options allows you to create a new column in the Power Apps portal?
- a) Workflow designer
- b) Theme editor
- c) Data tab in an entity
- d) Canvas app designer
- Answer: c) Data tab in an entity
Explanation: A new column can be created by going to the Data tab within an entity. Other options do not directly allow column creation.
True or False: New columns in Power Platform can contain formulas or calculations.
- Answer: True
Explanation: Power Platform supports calculated columns and rollup columns. These types of columns can utilize formulas and calculations to display data.
Which way is not suitable for modifying an existing column in Power Platform?
- a) Through the entity’s Data tab
- b) Utilizing Power Automate
- c) Using Power Query
- d) Via the Power Apps canvas
- Answer: d) Via the Power Apps canvas
Explanation: The Power Apps canvas doesn’t allow direct modification of existing columns. Necessary modifications should be done through the Data tab, Power Automate, or Power Query.
True or False: The length of an existing column can be adjusted anytime.
- Answer: False
Explanation: The length of an existing data column can’t be decreased if the column contains data that exceeds the newly proposed column length.
To create a new column in an entity, which of the following are mandatory? Select all that apply.
- a) Name of the column
- b) Data type of the column
- c) Display name of the column
- d) Description of the column
- Answer: a) Name of the column, b) Data type of the column, c) Display name of the column
Explanation: When creating a new column, the name, data type, and display name are all mandatory information. The description is optional.
True or False: When you modify the existing column, all data contained in that column will be deleted.
- Answer: False
Explanation: Modifying a column’s properties does not delete the data contained within the column unless that modification renders the existing data incompatible.
A Lookup column in Power Apps is used to:
- a) Store numerical data
- b) Store bulk data
- c) Refer to data from another table
- d) Store date and time data
- Answer: c) Refer to data from another table
Explanation: A Lookup column is used to establish a relationship between the current entity and another related entity, allowing it to reference data from another table.
True or False: You cannot create a new column with the same name as a system column.
- Answer: True
Explanation: You can’t create a custom column with the same name as an existing system column to avoid confusion and errors.
Which of the following cannot be set when creating a new column?
- a) Default value
- b) Requirement level
- c) Maximum length
- d) Column display order
- Answer: d) Column display order
Explanation: The column order display is managed in the form customization and not during column creation. Other properties like default value, requirement level and maximum length can be set during column creation.
Interview Questions
How can you add new columns to an existing table in F&O?
You use the Table Designer to add new columns to an existing table in F&O. In the AOT (Application Object Tree), find the table you want to add columns to, right-click and select “Add” to add a new field.
How do you modify an existing column in Microsoft Power Platform?
You can modify an existing column by selecting the entity, choosing “Fields” in the Field Explorer pane, and then selecting the field you want to modify. Changes can then be made in the “Field Properties” pane.
What are the steps involved in creating new columns in a dataset in Power BI?
To create new columns in a dataset in Power BI, click on “Transform data” option, select the relevant table, then select “Add Column” from the ribbon. You can then define the operation or formula to generate the values for the new column.
What is a lookup column in Power Platform?
A lookup column in Power Platform is a type of column that allows you to create relationships by linking to data from a different table or entity.
How can you remove columns from a dataset in Power BI?
You have to select the column(s) you want to remove, right-click and select the option “Remove Columns” to delete the selected columns from the Power BI dataset.
How do you rename a column in Power Platform?
To rename a column in Power Platform, navigate to the selected entity, select “Fields”, select the field you want to rename. In the “Field Properties” pane, you can then change the name and the display name of the column.
Is it possible to modify a system field in Microsoft Power Platform?
No, it’s not possible to modify a system field in Microsoft Power Platform. You can only modify custom fields.
What field types are supported for creating new columns in Microsoft Power Platform?
Supported field types for creating new columns include Text, Option Set, Two Options, Image, Whole Number, Floating Point Number, Decimal Number, Currency, Multiple Lines of Text, Date and Time, Lookup.
Can we add a column with default values in Power Platform?
Yes, while adding a new column in Power Platform, you can set the “Default Value” property with a fixed value or a function, such as ‘Today()’.
How can you create a calculated column in Power BI?
To create a calculated column in Power BI, you need to select “New Column” from the Modeling tab and then enter a DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) formula that calculates the column’s values.
How can you update multiple columns at once in Power Apps?
You can achieve this through the ‘Patch’ function. The function allows updates to multiple columns simultaneously by passing a record, which includes the column names and their new values.
How to hide a column in a Power Apps form?
To hide a column in a Power Apps form, select the Data card related to the column and change its ‘Visible’ property to ‘false’ in the Properties pane.
How to convert a text data to number in a Power BI column?
You can convert a text data to number by selecting “Transform” on the Home tab, and then selecting “Data Type” –> “Whole Number” or “Decimal Number”, depending on the type of numeric data needed.
How can we limit the number of characters in a text field in Power Apps?
Use the MaxLength property of the Text Input control to restrict the number of characters that users can enter in a text field.
Can two tables share a common column in Power Apps?
Yes, two tables can share a common column in Power Apps, usually in the form of a Lookup column, which enables the creation of relationships between entities.
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