Skip to main content
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Join us for an expert-led overview of the tools and concepts you'll need to become a Certified Power BI Data Analyst and pass exam PL-300. Register now.

Reply
ChazTime
Frequent Visitor

Compress or merge values from different columns and rows into a single row.

I have a data set that can have multiple data points for a single value, which are in different rows. I am looking to compress or merge all of these data points into a single row so I can drill down and have a clean table or line item and not multiple lines for the same data point (ID_LOC - column1). I prefer to do this creating a separate/custom table and not power query. Screenshots below.

Current View

ChazTime_3-1684531530916.png

 

Desired output

ChazTime_2-1684531418520.png

 

 

 

8 REPLIES 8
ChazTime
Frequent Visitor

Sample data table below:

ID_Locqueue_timeprocess_timeoperation_timecategoryheld_time
A901_61290.211.621.83processed 
A901_6129   long hold1.22
A901_62144.9520.4125.35processed 
A901_6214   hold4.38
A901_62420.179.379.54processed 
A901_6242   hold0.48
A901_6264 6.326.32processed 
A901_6264   long hold0.99
A901_6264   hold0.24

 

 

Desired outcome:

- ID_Loc matching values merged to 1 line of data

- held_time value moved up (if value exists)

- category2 split to new column if "category" is hold or long hold

- if 3 values in category (processed, hold, long hold) split to category 3 with held_time2

ID_Locqueue_timeprocess_timeoperation_timecategoryheld_timecategory2category3held_time2
A901_61290.211.621.83processed1.22long holdnullnull
A901_62144.9520.4125.35processed4.38holdnullnull
A901_62420.179.379.54processed0.48holdnullnull
A901_6264 6.326.32processed0.99long holdhold0.24

That's a rather weird data format.  I would simplify it like this:

 

lbendlin_0-1684802999556.png

This will make your data digestible for Power BI.

 

As I understand it your operation_time value  is redundant and can be omitted.

 

 

Appreciate the response. Yes it is weird. However each data point is needed. The key is to have the ID_Loc column reduced/merged to 1 row. Each activity is a milestone of some sort, so showing those in one row with those different data points is easier to view than a table full of different milestones.

Operation time could be ommited yes, however the other numbers are needed.

The key is to have the ID_Loc column reduced/merged to 1 row.

That's the opposite of what Power BI is about.  Use a different tool.

Ouch. I wouldn't say it's the opposite. I am just seeing if I can create a more user friendly ouput for my customers. Guess I'll go back to the stone and chisel.

There's a difference between making data user friendly and making it engine friendly. But that difference melts away when you make the data engine friendly.  The structure that I proposed can then be fed into a matrix visual with one row per ID_loc.  like so:

 

lbendlin_0-1684805880087.png

 

Completely understand. Still working the problem and I appreciate your guidance. My issue is very complex as I have even more data points I did not include in my original post due to confidentiality. But again, I understand where you are going with this... I will use this as guidance. Thank you. Will mark your post as an accepted solution.

lbendlin
Super User
Super User

Please provide sample data that covers your issue or question completely, in a usable format (not as a screenshot).
https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Community-Blog/How-to-provide-sample-data-in-the-Power-BI-Forum/ba-...
Please show the expected outcome based on the sample data you provided.

https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/How-to-Get-Your-Question-Answered-Quickly/m-p/1447523

Helpful resources

Announcements
Join our Fabric User Panel

Join our Fabric User Panel

This is your chance to engage directly with the engineering team behind Fabric and Power BI. Share your experiences and shape the future.

June 2025 Power BI Update Carousel

Power BI Monthly Update - June 2025

Check out the June 2025 Power BI update to learn about new features.

June 2025 community update carousel

Fabric Community Update - June 2025

Find out what's new and trending in the Fabric community.