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How to Clear a Selected Column in a Power Apps Chart

Olivia Miller Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is trying to clear the selection state of a column chart in Power Apps but finds that standard methods do not work.

How to Clear a Selected Column in a Power Apps Chart

Product: Power Apps
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to reset or clear a chart control's active selection during app interaction.
Observed behavior: Unlike pie charts, a selected column in a column chart remains active even after setting the value to Blank(), resetting the value, or changing the control's display mode.

Before you start

Before making changes to your app formulas, ensure you have saved and published a backup version of your current Power Apps project to prevent any accidental loss of functionality.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Reset Function with a Context Variable

Since column charts lack a built-in selection reset property, you can force the control to clear by resetting the entire chart component via a button and context variable.

Different chart controls in Power Apps have varying default behaviors. While pie charts may clear their selection naturally, column charts often require a hard reset of the control itself to drop the active state.

Identify the Chart Control Name

Click on your column chart in the Power Apps studio and locate its exact name in the left-hand Tree View (e.g., ColumnChart1).

Insert a Triggering Control

Add a button or an icon to your canvas that users will click when they want to clear the chart's selection.

Apply the Reset Formula

Select the newly added button, navigate to the OnSelect property in the formula bar, and input 'Reset(ColumnChart1)'.

Update Selection Variables (Optional)

If you are using variables to track the selected item, append the UpdateContext function to the button's OnSelect property (e.g., 'Reset(ColumnChart1); UpdateContext({varChartSelection: Blank()})').

Use the Reset Function with a Context Variable

Community Assistance: If resetting the control does not resolve the issue, you may need to post your exact formula and a simplified example of your data source in the Power Apps Community forum for specific guidance.

Solution 2

Refresh the Chart's Data Source

Refreshing or clearing the underlying data collection can force the column chart to redraw and drop its current active selection.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a pie chart clear easily but a column chart does not in Power Apps?

Different chart controls in Power Apps are built with varying underlying behaviors and properties. Pie charts often handle selection states dynamically, while column charts tend to retain the active index until the control itself is explicitly reset.

Can I use the Blank() function to clear a column chart selection?

While the Blank() function is useful for clearing variables or text inputs, it typically does not override the active selection property of a column chart control. A full Reset() of the control is usually required.

How do I reset a specific control in Power Apps?

You can use the Reset(ControlName) function within the OnSelect property of a button or icon. When triggered, this function reverts the specified control to its Default property state.

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