You can achieve this dynamic filtering of supplier names based on category selection in
Power Query and Excel by using Data Validation, Power Query, and a Dynamic
Named Range. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to make this work seamlessly.
Step 1: Load Your Raw Data into Power Query
1. Ensure your data is structured as a table (Press Ctrl + T to convert it to a table).
2. Select the table and go to Data → Get & Transform → From Table/Range (this
opens Power Query Editor).
Step 2: Remove Empty Sales Entries
1. Click on the Sales Value column.
2. Click the Filter Dropdown and uncheck (Blank) and 0 values.
3. Click OK to apply the filter.
Step 3: Create a Dynamic Supplier List for Each
Category
1. Click on the Category column.
2. Go to Transform → Group By and configure:
o Group By: Category
o New Column Name: Supplier List
o Operation: All Rows
3. Click the Expand Icon ( ) next to Supplier List, keeping only the Supplier
Name column.
Step 4: Load Data Back to Excel
1. Click Close & Load To…
2. Select Only Create Connection (this avoids creating a full table and keeps it
efficient).
Step 5: Create a Drop-down to Select Category
1. Go to your Dashboard Sheet.
2. Select a cell (e.g., B1) where users will pick a category.
3. Go to Data → Data Validation.
4. Choose List and set the source to the unique Category list (from Power Query
results).
Step 6: Extract Supplier Names Dynamically
Using FILTER Function (Excel 365/Excel 2019)
If using Excel 365 or later, use this formula in the dashboard
(Assuming A2:A100 contains supplier names and B2:B100 contains categories):
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=FILTER(A2:A100, B2:B100=B1, "No suppliers found")
This will display only the supplier names based on the selected category.
Using INDEX & MATCH (Older Excel Versions)
For older versions without FILTER, use Helper Columns and the following array
formula:
1. In a helper column (e.g., C2), use:
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=IF(B2=$B$1, A2, "")
2. To extract unique values, use:
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=INDEX(A:A, SMALL(IF(C:C<>"", ROW(A:A)), ROWS($D$2:D2)))
(Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter if using an older Excel version).
Step 7: Auto-Update on Data Refresh
1. Right-click your Power Query Table → Click Refresh.
2. Alternatively, click Data → Refresh All to update.
Final Outcome
When you select a category in B1, the supplier names update dynamically.
If no suppliers exist in a category, "No suppliers found" appears.
The dashboard updates automatically when new data is added.