concatenated key: create column or calculated column?

[Twilla]

Hi all,

I have a lot of composite keys (2 columns) that should be concatenated to make the model work in Power Bi.

Now I have 2 options:

1) I concatenate the fields in the view that i have in my oracle database (so I have an extra column in Power BI)

2) I create a calculated column in Power BI that concatenates the values of the two columns.

I also want to keep the original columns so the fact that I would have two columns less when chosing option one is not valid.

So my question? What is the better option?

[v-ljerr-msft]

Hi @Twilla,

I would choose option 1 in this scenario.

Assume you need to create another report that also imports this database in future, then you'll have to consider concatenating the columns again when creating the new report in Power BI if you choose option 2. With option 1, it shouldn't be a problem any more. As for the performances, there may be some difference between them, however, I don't think there is too much. 

Regards