Malformed parameter : templateValues Error

[gerardparker]

Hi there, 

I am looking to duplicate a report that I created and just edit the data source (sql query).

This worked fine but some of the charts are now giving me an error.

It shows Malformed parameter : templateValues and it does not render any graph.

Ive looked all over but cant find a fix for this. I used Chatgpt and it said this: The “Malformed parameter : templateValues” pop‑up is thrown by the BigQuery/SQL connector before it even sends your query to the warehouse.
Looker Studio stores every custom query, calculated field and report‑level control in a JSON object.
If that object contains a parameter definition that can’t be parsed (for example a missing value, an un‑escaped quote, or a reference to a parameter that doesn’t exist in the data source you’re pointing at) the whole data source is marked as un‑connectable and every chart based on it shows the Data Set Configuration Error dialog.  

But nothing it suggested actually worked. Is there any feedback that anyone has? 

 

[a_aleinikov]

It looks like the issue is from leftover or broken template parameters after copying the report.

• Double-check all parameters in your charts and calculated fields.

• Make sure the new data source matches the expected parameter names and formats.

• Sometimes it helps to fully remove and re-add the problematic charts.

[gerardparker]

hey there! Thanks so much for replying. 
I think I found the issue. (Its not the actual parameters weirdly). Its actually the fact that in my results, the list of items being returned have " 's " at the end. So like, Mcdonald's, Nando's etc. That seems to be giving it an issue. If I comment those merchants (and all other merchants with an apostrophe at the end) out in a where clause, it works fine. 

So I used a CASE WHEN statement to adjust the naming to be Mcdonalds, Nandos etc. 

It works now BUT weirdly, when I try to sort it, it fails again. its such a strange issue. 

I am trying multiple workarounds to see if we can get it working. 

[stevenc_jaywing]

There is another case of this issue appearing here:
https://www.googlecloudcommunity.com/gc/Looker-Studio/quot-Malformed-quot-parameter-templateValues/m...
It seems to be a real oversight and it would be good to push for a fix.

I also have the issue, and I am not filtering on that column, only displaying it in a table. It fails the second the table includes the first instance of an apostrophe