Power Query Problems

How to Enable Add Column from Example in Power Query for Excel 2016

Adam Davis Oct 16, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to use the Add Column from Example feature in Excel 2016's Power Query Editor, but the option is missing or unavailable.

How to Enable Add Column from Example in Power Query for Excel 2016

Product: Microsoft Excel 2016
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to create a new column based on data examples within the Power Query Editor.
Observed behavior: The Column from Examples button does not appear in the Add Column ribbon due to an older build or unsupported Excel 2016 version.

Before you start

Ensure your computer is connected to the internet and that you have administrator privileges, as you will need to download and install the latest Microsoft Office updates.

Solution 1Recommended

Install the Latest Office 2016 Updates

Updating Office Professional Plus 2016 to the latest build ensures your installation includes newer Power Query features like Add Column from Example.

The 'Add Column from Example' feature is highly dependent on your specific Office edition, update channel, and build number. Older perpetual installations of Excel 2016 may not include this feature out of the box until they are updated to a supported build (such as 16.0.5387.1000 or newer).

Open Account Settings

Launch Excel 2016, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, and select 'Account' from the left-hand menu.

Check for Updates

Under the Product Information section, click on the 'Update Options' button next to Office Updates.

Apply Updates

Select 'Update Now' from the drop-down menu. Wait for Microsoft Office to download and apply the latest available updates.

Verify in Power Query

Once the update is complete, restart Excel. Open the Power Query Editor, navigate to the 'Add Column' tab, and look for the 'Column from Examples' button.

Managed IT Environments: If you do not see the 'Update Options' button, your organization's IT administrator likely manages your Office updates. You will need to contact them to push the latest build to your machine.

Solution 2

Verify Your Exact Excel Build Version

Check your current build number to determine if your Excel version is simply too old to support the feature.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the 'Column from Examples' missing in Excel 2016?

This feature was rolled out in later updates of Excel 2016. If you have an older perpetual build or a version that hasn't received recent feature updates, the button will not appear in the Power Query Editor.

Can I download Power Query as a separate add-in to fix this?

No. For Excel 2016 and newer versions, Power Query is built directly into the software under the 'Data' tab (known as Get & Transform). You must update the entire Office application to receive new Power Query features.

Where exactly is the 'Column from Examples' button located?

Once your Excel 2016 is updated to a supported build, you can find it by launching the Power Query Editor, clicking on the 'Add Column' tab on the top ribbon, and selecting the 'Column from Examples' icon.

Does Excel Professional Plus 2016 support all Power Query updates?

Not necessarily. Perpetual license editions (like Professional Plus 2016) often stop receiving new feature updates after a certain point, unlike subscription-based versions (Microsoft 365), which receive continuous feature rollouts.

Excel & Data Problems