Skip to main content
cancel
Turn on suggestions
Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type.
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Find everything you need to get certified on Fabric—skills challenges, live sessions, exam prep, role guidance, and more. Get started

Reply
arock-well
Helper V
Helper V

Merging Queries: Dataflows vs Datasets?

‎09-17-2023 02:14 PM

I realize that normalized star/snowflake schemas are usually the best way to go in terms of efficiency and performance. However, I have a situation where I have six tables (one fact, six dimension) and I want to create into one big flat table.

 

In terms of merging these tables, is there any benefit when it comes to efficiency and refresh performance to do this in a Dataflow or later on in a Dataset? 

Labels:
Message 1 of 7
494 Views
0
6 REPLIES 6
parry2k
Super User
Super User

‎09-17-2023 05:34 PM

@arock-well there are many reasons but 2-3 top would be: 1) it will take less time to refresh since data is already processed in the dataflow 2) better compression 3) dataflow processed data can be used in multiple Power BI reports 



Subscribe to the @PowerBIHowTo YT channel for an upcoming video on List and Record functions in Power Query!!

Learn Power BI and Fabric - subscribe to our YT channel - Click here: @PowerBIHowTo

If my solution proved useful, I'd be delighted to receive Kudos. When you put effort into asking a question, it's equally thoughtful to acknowledge and give Kudos to the individual who helped you solve the problem. It's a small gesture that shows appreciation and encouragement! ❤


Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution. Proud to be a Super User! Appreciate your Kudos 🙂
Feel free to email me with any of your BI needs.

Message 6 of 7
435 Views
arock-well
Helper V
Helper V
In response to parry2k

‎09-17-2023 05:42 PM

Thank you!

Message 7 of 7
425 Views
0
parry2k
Super User
Super User

‎09-17-2023 05:13 PM

Well in that case (for whatever reason) I would recommend it to do in dataflow. 



Subscribe to the @PowerBIHowTo YT channel for an upcoming video on List and Record functions in Power Query!!

Learn Power BI and Fabric - subscribe to our YT channel - Click here: @PowerBIHowTo

If my solution proved useful, I'd be delighted to receive Kudos. When you put effort into asking a question, it's equally thoughtful to acknowledge and give Kudos to the individual who helped you solve the problem. It's a small gesture that shows appreciation and encouragement! ❤


Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution. Proud to be a Super User! Appreciate your Kudos 🙂
Feel free to email me with any of your BI needs.

Message 4 of 7
448 Views
0
arock-well
Helper V
Helper V
In response to parry2k

‎09-17-2023 05:31 PM

Thanks! Are there particular reasons why you'd go the dataflow route vs dataset? 

Message 5 of 7
436 Views
0
parry2k
Super User
Super User

‎09-17-2023 04:09 PM

@arock-well first question, why a flat table if you have a proper star schema, you can potentially run into challenges using one flat table, and also it is not the best practice.



Subscribe to the @PowerBIHowTo YT channel for an upcoming video on List and Record functions in Power Query!!

Learn Power BI and Fabric - subscribe to our YT channel - Click here: @PowerBIHowTo

If my solution proved useful, I'd be delighted to receive Kudos. When you put effort into asking a question, it's equally thoughtful to acknowledge and give Kudos to the individual who helped you solve the problem. It's a small gesture that shows appreciation and encouragement! ❤


Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution. Proud to be a Super User! Appreciate your Kudos 🙂
Feel free to email me with any of your BI needs.

Message 2 of 7
461 Views
0
arock-well
Helper V
Helper V
In response to parry2k

‎09-17-2023 04:50 PM

As I already mentioned in the original message, I realize that is the best way to go. I'm not going to go into the reasons.

 

So based on that, what would be the best way to do merges: Within a dataflow or dataset?

Message 3 of 7
457 Views
0

Helpful resources

Announcements
Sept PBI Carousel

Power BI Monthly Update - September 2024

Check out the September 2024 Power BI update to learn about new features.

September Hackathon Carousel

Microsoft Fabric & AI Learning Hackathon

Learn from experts, get hands-on experience, and win awesome prizes.

Sept NL Carousel

Fabric Community Update - September 2024

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

View All