Forum Discussion

mark_carlisle's avatar
mark_carlisle
Advocate IV
7 years ago

PBI Dataflows Folder data source & custom columns

Appreciate that Dataflows is currently in Preview so not expecting everything immediately. Could I just ask the following;

 

  1. Are custom columns going to be available as an option within the in future. Currently I only seem to be able to create a Conditional Column or a Index Column via the UI and a custom column needs to be created via the Advanced Editor.
  2. After adding the custom columns the data took longer to refresh, increasing from 39 seconds to 104 seconds is this performance hit to be expected when adding custom columns?
  3. Will Folder be getting added as a datasource?

 

This is a possible bug - After setting up Incremental refresh on the dataflow it automatically creates the necessary RangeStart and RangeEnd parameters and adds a step to titled #"AgentByTeamBySkillByDay-54686544617465-autogenerated_for_incremental_refresh". Renaming this step for readability and placing it earlier in the list of steps causes a new auto generated incremental refresh step to be added.

13 Replies

  • mmace1's avatar
    mmace1
    Impactful Individual

    For the Custom Column - you can also create it in Power BI desktop using the interface, then just copy the Advanced editor code out, and into Dataflows. 

     

    To me that seems easier than messing with non-intellisense M language.  

  • mmace1's avatar
    mmace1
    Impactful Individual

    Twice my searches have led me to this thread - similar problems seemingly. 

     

    Another vote for adding 'Folder' as a Datasource option.  Is it meaningful to start suggested-votes for these, or no since parity is the goal anyway...? 

    • mark_carlisle's avatar
      mark_carlisle
      Advocate IV

      mmace1 Just thought I'd mention that I've done some testing with a folder data source and PBI dataflows and it is possible to get it working.

       

      You need to connect to the Folder data source in PBI Desktop and then copy each of the querries, along with the parameter and function from the Advanced Editior in PBI desktop in to a Blank query within dataflows. The only thing I had to do was to remove the Filtered Hidden Files step within the final query

       

      Be great if MS add it as a source so the process is automated but this is an acceptable work around. 

  • I would also love to see 'Folder' as a data source for Dataflows!

    • otravers's avatar
      otravers
      Community Champion

      Microsoft said they intended to bring Dataflows' Power Query to parity with Power BI Desktop.

  • maya's avatar
    maya
    Microsoft Employee

    Hi Mark, the autogenerated step for incremental refresh (in this case #"AgentByTeamBySkillByDay-54686544617465-autogenerated_for_incremental_refresh") should remain as is - without renaming it or placing it earlier in the list of steps.