Feature Request: Multi-File Import Capability in Power Query

[charm1]

Current Challenge: When users need to combine multiple Excel files that are not located in the same folder, they must individually select and import each file into Power Query Editor. This process can be tedious and time-consuming, especially when dealing with a large number of files.

Proposed Solution: Implement a feature that allows users to select multiple Excel files from different folders in a single browsing step. This can be achieved through a multi-file selection capability (e.g., Ctrl + Select) during the import process.

Detailed Steps:

1. File Selection Dialog:

• Enhance the file browsing dialog to support multi-file selection using standard keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl + Select or Shift + Select).

1. Import Process:

• Allow users to select multiple files from different locations in one go.
• Once the files are selected, Power Query should automatically import them into the editor, listing each file as a separate query.

1. Transformation and Combination:

• After importing, users can transform each query as needed.
• Provide an option to combine these queries seamlessly, such as an automatic "Append Queries" or "Merge Queries" prompt after all selected files are imported.

Benefits:

• Efficiency: Saves time by reducing the number of repetitive import steps.
• User-Friendly: Simplifies the workflow for users who need to work with multiple files from various locations.
• Consistency: Ensures a more streamlined and consistent import process, reducing the likelihood of errors.

Example Workflow:

1. User opens Power Query and selects the import data option.
2. In the file browsing dialog, the user navigates to different folders and uses Ctrl + Select to choose multiple Excel files.
3. Power Query imports all selected files and lists them in the editor.
4. The user can then apply transformations to each query or combine them as needed.

This feature would significantly enhance the usability of Power Query (Power BI and also Excel) for users dealing with data from multiple sources and locations, making the data import process more efficient and less cumbersome.