Hidden columns when doing a copy paste in PowerPivot

Hidden columns when doing a copy paste in PowerPivot

One of the methods of getting data into PowerPivot is to copy a table (from Excel or other program) and paste it into the PowerPivot window. To learn more about this method look at our PowerPivot course. It is important to know what happens to hidden columns when doing a copy paste in PowerPivot.

If you use Excel as the source data, be aware that hidden columns in Excel are ignored in PowerPivot i.e. even though they are part of the highlighted area in Excel, they will not be imported into PowerPivot.

This differs from when you link to an Excel file as in this case, hidden columns will be imported (or you choose to ignore them if you want).

As a result of the PowerPivot table being constrained by the initial copy paste, hidden columns can create problems at a later stage when you want to Paste Append or Paste Replace.