Error importing Sharepoint lists to Power BI

Question

After working with a SharePoint list for a number of weeks and having successful data import to Power BI, we made some changes to the list to remove old columns and change the value types on a couple of columns. Around this time we have also encountered a new error. Based on where this error occurs in the data import process and the content of the error, it seems like the changes we made should not be the cause. Still, I provided the information for full disclosure, and to cover for the fact that Microsoft errors are frequently misleading. We have around 12 lists being imported from the same data source and only one is failing with this error.

So far I have tried a couple of things to isolate the issue.

1. Made a new list which mostly replicates the structure of the old list, and that can be imported into Power BI without issues.
2. Made a copy of the problem list by making a new list from an existing list. I then deleted all of the columns I could (Leaving Title and mandatory tracking columns). This list also has the problem with the import to Power BI. Of course this list is empty because the "make from existing" does not copy the data.

The error we get in Power BI is this:

Expression.Error: The columns parameter must be null, specify the number of columns, specify a list of column names, or specify a table type. Details: [List]

The error occurs in the preview of the list selection after opening the data source, in the previously connected import in the Queries list, and during Applying queries.

Answer 1

Hi,

Sorry for the inconvenience the problem caused for you.

Per your description, when you try to importing SharePoint list to Power BI, an error will pop up.

Based on my experience, you could troubleshoot this kind of issue from Power BI side first. I noticed that there is a thread which has the similar error with yours in Power BI community: connection error to Sharepoint List - Microsoft Power BI Community. According to this thread, it is possible that the default connector you used is version 2.0. You can try to switch to version 1.0 to see the result.

If the problem persists, we recommend you post on dedicated Microsoft Power BI Community. The members there are good at this aspect. You will get a more detailed and professional answer to your query there.

Appreciate your understanding.

Best regards,

Jazlyn