Add blank columns that don't update with source data

**jooshthehunter** · 07-24-2024, 03:05 PM

Hello everyone,

I've been using Excel for years for tracking purposes, but I'm relatively new to Power Query.

I'm using Excel with Microsoft Forms for our 5S program at my work. Employees conduct routine 5S checks of their area and document it via Microsoft Forms. If they find any issues that need to be addressed, they will indicate them in the form.

To protect the spreadsheet linked to the form, I'm using Power Query to bring in data I need to filter and analyze. I want to add five blank columns, but not at the end of the sheet; instead, I would like to mix them throughout. In this case between columns O/P, Q/R, S/T, U/V, W/X or columns 15/16, 17/18, 19/20, 21/22, and 23/24. These added columns will allow managers to enter the spreadsheet and the dates they completed the issue listed in the 5S check.

I can add or duplicate a column and move it to those locations. However, the problem is that when I refresh data from the source, it will delete any data I enter into those new columns.

Is there a way to add these columns without updating them with "source" data?

I've attached a sample Excel sheet showing the data imported and then a 'new' sheet with the added columns I want highlighted in orange.

Also, here is the code from Power Query so far:

=Table.RemoveColumns(#"Changed Type",{"Completion time", "Email", "Last modified time", "First Name", "Did you find any not commonly found non-conformances?", "Do you have another non-conformance issue to report?", "Do you have another non-conformance issue to report?2", "Do you have another non-conformance issue to report?3", "Do you have another non-conformance issue to report?4"})

Any help would be greatly appreciated.