Question Mark in Collection when retrieving data from excel datasource

[mjbaylon]

Hi, I'm trying to store data to my collection from excel file unfortunately I got this kind of error.

Code:

Excel value:

[EddieE]

@mjbaylon 

Is your Excel field a Dropdown / Pick from list? If so, you may not be able to use these with PowerApps?

Not sure really because I don't use Excel with PowerApps but that's where I'd start looking...

[mjbaylon]

My column is plain text 

[EddieE · Accepted solution]

@mjbaylon 

Well, there's something about the data type that PowerApps doesn't like. I just did a quick test using a plain text column using your code and had no issues.

Has the data in the field be copied from somewhere eg the Web or some sort of Datasource? If so, there maybe hidden characters that you cannot see inside the fields causing the issue. You could try

- Add a new column in your Excel file, call it Status_Test

- Then free type a few of the matching values from the Status field into this column - don't copy&Paste

- Then, using ShowColumns on this new column to see if that works

- If it does, this would point towards the data being not 'plain text'

You could also try Refreshing the datasource and/or completely removing it and re-adding it back in.

My money's on the data being off, but let me know.

[Automate2create]

This just happened to me but I am using choice columns.  So I have other collections where I am using choice columns and they are ok.  But I have created a new collection and when I look at the data from the collection, anything that is a choice column is showing question marks.  I've never seen this until today.  Why would it be?

[staronline1and2]

My apologies for bringing this up but I am having the same issue as @Automate2create. The filter does work before saving to the collection. I can filter the data from the Dataverse no problem. PowerApps can see the choice columns from the dataverse. But when you copy the table from the dataverse into collection then you get the "?" value mostly for choices, owner, and some ID columns. My workaround for a small table without any lookup column is to filter by those data and use the AddColumn and RenameColumn.

ClearCollect(
   localElectrical,
   RenameColumns(
      AddColumns(
         tempElectrical,
         LocalDepartment,"Electrical"
      ), crc68_employeename, FullName, crc68_firstname, FirstName, crc68_lastname, LastName, crc68_initials, Initials
   )
)

I have a table of Electricians as an example. Of course I prefer a big table with all departments. I can merge them all into one table but for now I am using Electrical table.

Does anybody know why the choice columns showing "?" value after saving from Dataverse to the collection?