def init_columns_entries(variables):
    """
    Making sure we have `columns` & `entries` to return, without effecting the original objects.
    """

    columns = variables.get('columns')
    if columns is None:
        columns = []  # Relevant columns in proper order
    if isinstance(columns, str):
        columns = [columns]
    else:
        columns = list(columns)

    entries = variables.get('entries')
    if entries is None:
        entries = []  # Entries of dict with relevant columns
    elif isinstance(entries, dict):
        entries = [entries]
    else:
        entries = list(entries)

    return columns, entries