Skip to main content
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

The Power BI Data Visualization World Championships is back! Get ahead of the game and start preparing now! Learn more

Reply
Anonymous
Not applicable

merging and appending

Hi,

 

Can anyone help me with an example that what is the difference between append queries and merge queries???

 

thanks

2 ACCEPTED SOLUTIONS
AntrikshSharma
Super User
Super User

When you append, you are increasing rows, when you merge you are increasing columns.

View solution in original post

v-yingjl
Community Support
Community Support

Hi @Anonymous ,

  1. 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.

    • append.png
  2. 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.

    • merge.png

 

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:

  1. Append vs Merge in Power BI and Power Query 
  2. Merge Vs. Append In Power BI In Power Query Editor 
  3. Power BI Merging and Appending Queries 

 

Best Regards,
Yingjie Li

If this post helps then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

View solution in original post

4 REPLIES 4
v-yingjl
Community Support
Community Support

Hi @Anonymous ,

  1. 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.

    • append.png
  2. 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.

    • merge.png

 

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:

  1. Append vs Merge in Power BI and Power Query 
  2. Merge Vs. Append In Power BI In Power Query Editor 
  3. Power BI Merging and Appending Queries 

 

Best Regards,
Yingjie Li

If this post helps then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

harshnathani
Community Champion
Community Champion

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


Appreciate with a Kudos!! (Click the Thumbs Up Button)

Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution!

ryan_mayu
Super User
Super 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





Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution!

Proud to be a Super User!




AntrikshSharma
Super User
Super User

When you append, you are increasing rows, when you merge you are increasing columns.

Helpful resources

Announcements
Power BI DataViz World Championships

Power BI Dataviz World Championships

The Power BI Data Visualization World Championships is back! Get ahead of the game and start preparing now!

December 2025 Power BI Update Carousel

Power BI Monthly Update - December 2025

Check out the December 2025 Power BI Holiday Recap!

FabCon Atlanta 2026 carousel

FabCon Atlanta 2026

Join us at FabCon Atlanta, March 16-20, for the ultimate Fabric, Power BI, AI and SQL community-led event. Save $200 with code FABCOMM.