Adding a Blank Value to Distinct Dropdown (or other Options)

[RJF61]

I have a gallery where I have added a filter pane.  Ultimately, I want to set the Items for the gallery so that I display based on the various choices selected in the drop downs.  Currently, the dropdowns are based on...Distinct(SPList,fieldname).

Is there a way to add a blank value at the beginning of each dropdown list?

[M_Ali_SZ365]

Hi @RJF61 

To add a blank value to the list of distinct values for a dropdown in PowerApps, you can use the following formula:

Table({fieldname: Blank()}, Distinct(SPList, fieldname))

his creates a table with a single blank row and then appends the distinct list from your SPList. You should replace fieldname with the actual field name you're using for your dropdown.

For the dropdown control, set the Items property to this formula. This way, the first option in the dropdown will be a blank value, followed by the distinct values from your SharePoint list.

Please accept this solution if it resolves the issue. ✅
Best regards,
Muhammad Ali

[RJF61]

Hello @M_Ali_SZ365 Thanks for the response.  Unfortunately, I am receiving an error with the formula provided.

Table({GrpDropdown:Blank()},Distinct(ShortFormII,Group))

Cannot use a non-record value in this context.

The function 'Table' has some invalid arguments.

[Hassan_SZ_365 · Accepted solution]

Hi @RJF61 ,

To add a blank value at the beginning of a dropdown list that uses the Distinct function in PowerApps, you can use the Concatenate function along with a collection that includes a blank option. Here's a simplified method:

1. Create a collection with a blank value and the distinct values from your SharePoint list field. 

ClearCollect(
    colDropdownOptions,
    [{fieldname: Blank()}],
    Distinct(SPList, fieldname)
);​

Set the Items property of the dropdown to this new collection: 

colDropdownOptions

Now your dropdown will have a blank option at the beginning, followed by the distinct values from the SharePoint list field.

Best Regards,
Hassan Raza

[M_Ali_SZ365]

Hi @RJF61 ,

To add a blank value to a dropdown list in PowerApps, use the Concatenate function with Blank() like this:

Concatenate(
    Blank(),
    Distinct(SPList, fieldname)
)

Replace "SPList" with your SharePoint list name and "fieldname" with the dropdown's field name. Set the dropdown's Items property to this formula for a blank option followed by distinct values.

Please accept this solution if it resolves the issue. ✅
Best regards,
Muhammad Ali

[Spamrancher]

This works but be aware that it will be subject to delegation, so you will only get the distinct values of the first 500 - 2000 records, depending on your settings.