How to display old metrics (with no backend data) along with new data (has backend data)?

[frost789]

In the past, my school has used Excel files for reporting (below). But we are trying to transition into Power BI visualizations. 

I have created a Power BI sheet (below) for Fall 2025 with variables and data in the backend. But I don't have 2021-2024 backend data. How do I including prior years' numbers (2021 - 2024 numbers) with Fall 2025 numbers I have? 

[v-prasare]

Hi @frost789,

We would like to confirm if our community members answer resolves your query or if you need further help. If you still have any questions or need more support, please feel free to let us know. We are happy to help you.

Thank you for your patience and look forward to hearing from you.
Best Regards,
Prashanth Are
MS Fabric community support

[v-prasare]

Hi @frost789,

We would like to confirm if our community members answer resolves your query or if you need further help. If you still have any questions or need more support, please feel free to let us know. We are happy to help you.

Thank you for your patience and look forward to hearing from you.
Best Regards,
Prashanth Are
MS Fabric community support

[gvlado]

I have been wrestling with old and new (fresh) data for some time now. I refresh the data for the last year every day, and I want the previous ones to be static tables (not to be refreshed daily).
So far, I have a pro license and am not in a Fabbric environment, I have discovered two ways.
#1 One is using DAX UNION with the fact that for previous years I have turned off refresh for those queries (include in report refresh) - it will be automatically refreshed only the first time.
#2 The second is using Dataflow (Gen1) which does not refresh except the first time.

It's probably different in Fabric, but fabric is very expensive, but we'll get to that.
PS
Home Enter data is not applicable for big tables, as I now/tried

[cengizhanarslan]

Create a small manual “Historical” table in Power BI (Home → Enter Data) that contains the 2021–2024 values. Shape your Fall 2025 backend data to the same column structure, then Append (UNION) the two tables in Power Query. Use the appended table for visuals, historical rows stay static, new data updates automatically.

[danextian]

Hi @frost789 

The approach really depends on the nature of the data—specifically whether it’s already summarized or not. A separate date dimension and a few measures would be needed to combine current and historical data in a single visual. Without a sample dataset, though, it’s difficult to suggest a concrete solution. If sharing data is possible, please provide it in an easy-to-use format (copy-paste friendly, not an image) or as a link to a cloud-hosted Excel file. The data doesn’t need to be real or confidential, as long as it reflects the structure of the actual dataset.

[Ashish_Mathur]

Hi,

I do not understand.  In the first image you have shown historical data but in the body of the text you mention that you don't have 2021-2024 backend data.

[frost789]

I only have the report (those numbers and percentages) from 2021-2024. Analysis done in prior semesters did not have datasets saved. Fall 2025 is the 1st time we're using Power BI. I have the dataset for this Fall 2025. Does that help clear up the confusion?

[frost789]

Thank you for your quick reply, Mason. Any chance there's a youtube video on how this is done?

[MasonMA]

Hi, 

You may look at these below, for example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-KOWgSPG00 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCwqF6MHd24 

[MasonMA]

Hi 

The usual approach would be to manually create a historical 'Snapshot' Table for past years, load both historical table and Fall 2025 dataset in Power Query, append these two queries as a new Query (the historical table and 2025 dataset can be disabled for loading to Power BI after appending) and use this final Query for Reporting.