Forum Discussion
merging and appending
Hi,
Can anyone help me with an example that what is the difference between append queries and merge queries???
thanks
- When you append, you are increasing rows, when you merge you are increasing columns.
Hi Anonymous ,
- Append:
Datasets are typically appended when there is no change to the table schema or data model. Appending can use the same schema since the values of one dataset are added after the existing values of another.
If the table schemas are different, the output will contain missing values for the columns not contained in both datasets.
- Merge:
Datasets should be combined by merging when additional attributes need to be added to the table schema or data model.
Merging requires a common attribute to join on, this ensures that the new attributes are correctly matched within the output. There can be missing values within either dataset provided the attribute being merged upon does not contain missing values.
Here is the sample about merge and append result that you can refer: append vs merge.pbix
In addition, you can refer the following articles and video for further details:
- Append vs Merge in Power BI and Power Query
- Merge Vs. Append In Power BI In Power Query Editor
- Power BI Merging and Appending Queries
Best Regards,
Yingjie LiIf this post helps then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.
- Append:
4 Replies
v-yingjlCommunity Support
Hi Anonymous ,
- Append:
Datasets are typically appended when there is no change to the table schema or data model. Appending can use the same schema since the values of one dataset are added after the existing values of another.
If the table schemas are different, the output will contain missing values for the columns not contained in both datasets.
- Merge:
Datasets should be combined by merging when additional attributes need to be added to the table schema or data model.
Merging requires a common attribute to join on, this ensures that the new attributes are correctly matched within the output. There can be missing values within either dataset provided the attribute being merged upon does not contain missing values.
Here is the sample about merge and append result that you can refer: append vs merge.pbix
In addition, you can refer the following articles and video for further details:
- Append vs Merge in Power BI and Power Query
- Merge Vs. Append In Power BI In Power Query Editor
- Power BI Merging and Appending Queries
Best Regards,
Yingjie LiIf this post helps then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.
- Append:
- AntrikshSharma
Community Champion
When you append, you are increasing rows, when you merge you are increasing columns. 
ryan_mayuSuper User
Anonymous
There are two primary ways of combining queries: merging and appending.
- When you have one or more columns that you’d like to add to another query, you merge the queries.
- When you have additional rows of data that you’d like to add to an existing query, you append the query
Please read the tutorals below.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/desktop-shape-and-combine-data
HI Anonymous ,
You can have a look at this blog.
https://radacad.com/append-vs-merge-in-power-bi-and-power-query
Regards,
Harsh Nathani
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