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On a previous post, I recieved a solution of combining two data sources with a time condition.
This was the post: Joining 2 Data Sources with a Time Condition
This was solved by @amitchandak
I am now looking to see if the same thing can be done by combining 3 data sources with an outer join.
Where the other 2 data sources have a condition that match if they are within 2 days.
The referenced solution with 2 datasources worked perfectly, now just looking to add another data source.
The 2nd source (Railcar) and 3rd Source (Switch) both reference the Railcar Number of the 1st source (Batch). And the dates must be within 14 days of the 1st source.
| Batch Number | Railcar Number | Date |
| A | 1 | 10/1/2025 |
| B | 2 | 10/2/2025 |
| C | 3 | 10/3/2025 |
| D | 4 | 10/4/2025 |
| Railcar Number | Date |
| 1 | 10/2/2025 |
| 2 | 10/3/2025 |
| 33 | 10/4/2025 |
| 4 | 12/4/2025 |
| Switch Number | Date |
| 1 | 10/3/2025 |
| 2 | 10/4/2026 |
| 3 | 10/5/2025 |
| 44 | 10/6/2025 |
I'd like to do an outer merge with a calculation to get below. Where every entry that didn't match with the 1st source in the date range has its own row (Outer Join)
The same thing as your solution above, just adding another datasource.
| Batch Number - Batch | Railcar Number - Batch | Date - Batch | Railcar Number - Rail | Date - Rail | Railcar Number - Switch | Date - Switch |
| A | 1 | 10/1/2025 | 1 | 10/2/2025 | 1 | 10/3/2025 |
| B | 2 | 10/2/2025 | 2 | 10/3/2025 | ||
| 2 | 10/4/2026 | |||||
| C | 3 | 10/3/2025 | 3 | 10/5/2025 | ||
| 33 | 10/4/2025 | |||||
| D | 4 | 10/4/2025 | ||||
| 4 | 12/4/2026 | |||||
| 44 | 10/6/2025 |
That looks like what I am looking for. Let me review.
One followup on both this and the previous example:
In this situation, it is possible for my railcar numbers to repeat as we use the same fleet of cars.
So in this example we could have any of numbers 1, 2, 3, or 4 come back later in the data set with later dates.
In the examples you had sent, if you add another row with a repeat Railcar Number, you get an error due to the relationship and if you remove the relationship you get multiple matches that don't meet the time condition
I was hoping that the time condition would prevent the multiple matches.
Is it possible to allow for repeat cars in any data set, and have them only match when they match on number and the time condition (14 days)?
Using the example before:
| Batch Number | Railcar Number | Date |
| A | 1 | 10/1/2025 |
| B | 2 | 10/2/2025 |
| C | 3 | 10/3/2025 |
| D | 4 | 10/4/2025 |
| E | 1 | 12/4/2025 |
Same as earlier, except a repeat Car 1
| Railcar Number | Date |
| 1 | 10/2/2025 |
| 2 | 10/3/2025 |
| 33 | 10/4/2025 |
| 4 | 12/4/2026 |
| 2 | 12/6/2025 |
Same as earlier, except a repeat Car 2
| Batch Number - Batch | Railcar Number - Batch | Date - Batch | Railcar Number - Rail | Date - Rail |
| A | 1 | 10/1/2025 | 1 | 10/2/2025 |
| B | 2 | 10/2/2025 | 2 | 10/3/2025 |
| C | 3 | 10/3/2025 | ||
| 33 | 10/4/2025 | |||
| D | 4 | 10/4/2025 | ||
| 4 | 12/4/2026 | |||
| E | 1 | 12/4/2025 | ||
| 2 | 12/6/2025 |
The bottom 2 rows with the repeat cars match with nothing because they are outside the data range
If allowing for repeat cars can be resolved on both data sets, this should resolve the entire project!
That is very close to what I am what I am looking for.
It looks like it is going to match all 3 rows only if all 3 match.
Is it possible to have the rows B and C matchup with the first row independently?
Railcar 2 matches with Table B but not Table C
Railcar 3 matches with Table C but not Table B
Your example is close, but it looks like it only matches if all 3 match.
Is matching B and C independently with A possible?
| Batch Number - Batch | Railcar Number - Batch | Date - Batch | Railcar Number - Rail | Date - Rail | Railcar Number - Switch | Date - Switch |
| A | 1 | 10/1/2025 | 1 | 10/2/2025 | 1 | 10/3/2025 |
| B | 2 | 10/2/2025 | 2 | 10/3/2025 | ||
| 2 | 10/4/2026 | |||||
| C | 3 | 10/3/2025 | 3 | 10/5/2025 | ||
| 33 | 10/4/2025 | |||||
| D | 4 | 10/4/2025 | ||||
| 4 | 12/4/2026 | |||||
| 44 | 10/6/2025 |
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