Combine files with different column structure

[lishapruthi]

Hi Everyone,

There is one question, Can we combines files with differnt structure in Powerquery. Example : one excel file contain column A, B, C, D but second file contains A, B, C, D, E
Can we combine those files and get the result in one table like A, B, C, D, E

Please let me know if there is any solution to get the above solution.

Thanks,

Lisha

[Anonymous]

Hi Lisha,

You can put them in a folder.

Here use Combine & Transform data --> Ok.

An automated query is executed here:

Check the table under Other Queries --> Go to this query --> Manually expand and remove the following extra steps

Output:

Best Regards,
Gao
Community Support Team

If there is any post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution  to help the other members find it more quickly.
If I misunderstand your needs or you still have problems on it, please feel free to let us know. Thanks a lot!

How to get your questions answered quickly --  How to provide sample data in the Power BI Forum -- China Power BI User Group

[lishapruthi]

Hi @Anonymous ,

But is there any solution to get columns dynamically because everytime new file added in the folder there willl be more columns than previous files. In that case, we cannot update in powerquery everytime. it should be added automatically.How can we solve this issue.

Thanks, 

Lisha

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi @lishapruthi ,

Replace the expanded column names with the following code:

List.Distinct(List.Combine(List.Transform (#"Removed Other Columns1"[Transform File],each Table.ColumnNames(_))))

Best Regards,
Gao
Community Support Team

If there is any post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution  to help the other members find it more quickly.
If I misunderstand your needs or you still have problems on it, please feel free to let us know. Thanks a lot!

How to get your questions answered quickly --  How to provide sample data in the Power BI Forum -- China Power BI User Group

[lbry9]

Hi,

This solution is the closest I've come to being able to do this. I'm running into an error though. I have 4 files in a folder and I'm getting the following error at this last step. It may be because only one of my files says it's setup as a table. If so, could you help guide me?

[Vallirajap]

Hi @lishapruthi,

Using merge queries to join the two tables into a single table. but there are similar columns needed to make a join between the two tables.

Did I answer your question?

Mark my post as a solution, this will help others...!

Hit the kudo also,

Thank you.