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user5566's avatar
user5566
New Member
8 years ago

CVS Columns Combined After PowerBi

Hello,

 

I am relatively new to PowerBi so with that out of the way, let me explain.

 

Two CSV files were imported to PowerBi from my Windows7 file explore.  The columns were nice and organized, however after setting up my PowerBi visualizations and saving the pbix, my CSV files are now completely different.  All the data is combined into column A and looks nothing like it did before.

 

(if this Dropbox embed doesn't work -  Actual link here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/f6ulijalh61hqfp/Capture.PNG?dl=0)

 

On the left is 2017 Nightly Occupancy opened in Excel (after powerbi) and on the right is the same file open in notepad.  In Notepad You can see the formatting I had.  What happened to my file!?

 

When imported the CSV into Ppowerbi I clicked Edit, and set "First Row as Header" (because coulmn1, column2 does nothing for me) and deleted the first row. Is that what changed the actual CSV? 

 

If I Save As '.txt' from Notepad, then open in Excel, I get my columns back.

 

 

3 Replies

  • user5566's avatar
    user5566
    New Member
    8 years ago

    Hey Microsoft, just gotta say, this is my second time writing this.  I created a new post without any notice of having to login or register.  Click post, and then I'm prompted to login or register.  I registered and was sent to the forum homepage and my post is gone! Why?

     

    Anyway, with much frustration, I'll rewrite everything.  If you read this and it seems short or, I'm sorry, explaining something twice is never fun.  

     

    I imported (get data) a CVS from Powerbi desktop, Windows7.  After saving the pbix file, my original CSV file is edited.  All my columns are combined into one.  Why did Powerbi change my file? How do I get it back? See file and captions below.

     

    When I opened in Bi, I selected "Edit" and "Set First Row as Headers" (because Column1, Colunm2, does nothing for me), and deleted the first row.  Did this change my file?

     

     

     

    Thank you.

  • v-xjiin-msft's avatar
    v-xjiin-msft
    Solution Sage
    8 years ago

    Hi user5566,

     

    => however after setting up my PowerBi visualizations and saving the pbix, my CSV files are now completely different.

     

    In your scenario, you have imported the CSV file to Power BI desktop and visualize it. Then you export the data in visual to a new CSV file. However all the data in this new CSV file is combined into one single column. Right?

     

    I have made some test based on above steps. However I didn't encounter your issue. The new CSV file is working fine.

     

    So could you please share us some screenshots of the steps that you imported the file and edit the query in Power BI? Also could you please share us your CSV file if possible? So that I can make some test in my environment and see if the issue persists.

     

    Thanks,
    Xi Jin.

    • user5566's avatar
      user5566
      New Member
      8 years ago

      Thank you Xi.

       

      All I did was "Get Data", select my CVS, selected "Edit", and "Make First Row Header", then deleted the first row.

       

      After I was done building my charts I "Saved".  I did not export anything.  I'll try to do the screen shots soon.