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Kergofil's avatar
Kergofil
Regular Visitor
5 years ago

If statements - limitations

Hi . I have a list in excel of more than 1200 post codes and the area they belong to (2 columns in the excel, one is the post code and the other is the area). I am using direct query in power bi and...
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PhilipTreacy's avatar
PhilipTreacy
Super User
5 years ago

Hi Kergofil 

So you are loading data from SQL Server running on your PC?

Whether you use a lot of if statements in a custom column, or have 2 tables and merge them, you are still getting data from the same place and subject to that data being available.

Regards

Phil

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Kergofil's avatar
Kergofil
Regular Visitor
5 years ago

Yes Phil,

Thats correct. I am loading data from SQL server where there I have only a column with the post code (table A). On the other, I have an excel workbook in my PC where I have post code with the Area name (table B). So merging these two tables it would work fine but only when I keep on my PC other users when sharing the report could see the results. So am looking if there is another way to find a solution... Thanks again

  • PhilipTreacy's avatar
    PhilipTreacy
    Super User
    5 years ago

    Hi Kergofil 

    Just so I understand this correctly, you have SQL Server running on your PC in Direct Query mode and you are only loading 1 column from it that contains the post code?  Or you are laoding a lot more data/columns than that, but 1 of those columns is the post code?

     

    Is Direct Query necessary?  You state that you need your data to be live in which case you either need to leave your PC on all the time or you move the SQL DB and Excel file to the cloud/some other always on location.

     

    Also, if your data is stored on your PC, you may need to set up a gateway to allow reports to be shared on PBI Service.

     

    Seems like there are 2 issues here: live access to the data because of Direct Query, and then the need to join the tables.

     

    Regards

     

    Phil

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    • Kergofil's avatar
      Kergofil
      Regular Visitor
      5 years ago

      Hi

      As you state, I am loading more data and one of the columns I download is the Postcode. Direct Quey unfortunately is necessary in my case. 

      Yes indeed there is a gateway installed and therefore I can easily share my report in Power BI service. 

      • PhilipTreacy's avatar
        PhilipTreacy
        Super User
        5 years ago

        Hi Kergofil 

        OK so given all of that, then just do the table join ?

        Or add a new column to the SQL data for the Area Code so the join doesn't have to happen?

        Phil

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