Fix Power Bi expression.errors in Windows 10/11

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Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Microsoft Power Bi is a powerful interactive data visualization BI tool. While using the Power Bi desktop or web client you may come across some errors. One of the most common error is Power Bi expression.errors. The expression error usually comes with different error messages as reported in thePower Bi Community.

After numerous hours of researching this issue for 2 days, I am really stumped.I have tried to create a simple function of either If or Switch and both return the above mentioned error.I even created a sample based on the example supplied on MSDN for the IF Function, trying to use it both in the Power BI Desktop and/or Power Query for Excel 2013 (32 bit) environments. Without any luck.

In this troubleshooting guide, we have compiled a list of possible solutions to fix the Power Bi expression.errors.

Fix Power Bi expression.errors

1. Power Bi expression.error the name ‘if’ wasn’t recognized

Check the Power Query Syntax

Disable focus mode in Power BI in 3 easy steps

2. Power Bi expression.error a cyclic reference was encountered during evaluation

Check Two Tables for Dependency

3. Power Bi expression.error the name ‘left’ is not recognized

Use Power Query M

4. Power Bi expression.error the field already exists in the record

Check for Duplicate Names

5. Power Bi expression.error the name ‘format’ wasn’t recognized

Use Power Query Language

6. Power Bi expression.error the index is outside the bounds of the record

Check for Unallowed Characters

7. Power Bi expression.error value ‘preferred’ is not of the correct type

Uninstall ODBC Connector and Power Bi Client

Fix Power Bi expression.errors in Windows 10/11#

Fix Power Bi expression.errors#

1. Power Bi expression.error the name ‘if’ wasn’t recognized#

2. Power Bi expression.error a cyclic reference was encountered during evaluation#

3. Power Bi expression.error the name ‘left’ is not recognized#

4. Power Bi expression.error the field already exists in the record#

5. Power Bi expression.error the name ‘format’ wasn’t recognized#

6. Power Bi expression.error the index is outside the bounds of the record#

7. Power Bi expression.error value ‘preferred’ is not of the correct type#