Pass Parameter (Drill Down) to Pick Name Format with Power Query

There's a lot in this video! When you get this working, you'll be entitled to wear your underwear outside your pants like a true Super Hero!

The challenge:
We'd like random names, but also choose which format we'd like our result in:
- First Name Last Name
- Last Name, First Name
- First Name MI Last Name
- Last Name, First Name MI

I thought about using a custom function but realized it'd be simpler to drill down (pass a parameter).

In this video you see:
- Column by Example
- Excel Tables
- Power Query
- Left Outer Join
- M Code
- Merge Columns
- and EVVYTHANG!

Download the file here:

For an intro to Get & Transform (Power Query) try my Lynda/LinkedIn course:

#PassParameter
#DrillDown
#OuterJoin

My book: Guerrilla Data Analysis 2nd Edition

[andrecavasotero]

I can not stop laughing at the image at the end. The new super hero in PQ.

[QuickMadeUpName]

Nice one, Oz. Very cool. I could feel the fire at 10:50... was coming off the screen!

[excelisfun]

Thanks for the Super Hero Data Radness, Oz!!!!

[barttitulaerexcelbart]

Wow, sometimes you just want to go as quickly to the end of the movie. Also in your case. Not only for the added new column (amazing that this just works) but also to see this new superhero in his new outfit. Well done Oz.!!

[wesszep]

Great, your are a real Super hero, thanks for the step in the m code, thanks OZ

[ExactProBi]

Finally, I am a Data superhero, would leave underwear inside though but CAPE is mine! Awesome trick Oz!

[wayneedmondson]

Hey Oz.. spooky.. haha!! Just in time for Halloween. Cool trick with PQ. You're the man! Thumbs up!

[DougHExcel]

super duper excel hero stuff...thanks!

[entertainmentgalaxy]

Mind Blowing... U are PQ super Hero....

[GrainneDuggan_Excel]

Love it Oz. Why did you not add the index column to the first table ? Then you would not need to add index to each of the subsequent tables. It also ensures the correct names in the output even if someone messes with only one query.

[XLarium]

I'm not sure whether I should be thrilled or scared. :-)