Getting Multiple XML Files from Sharepoint - Feels very inefficient, can I do better?

[Anonymous]

My datasets were not refreshing (credential errors) when I navigated to each of my three xml files using the web connector (when building my report in PBI Desktop).

It might be the exact composition of the provided URL but there doesn't seem to be a way of working out what the correct link should be for XML files.   (It's widely documented how to sort it out for Excel files from Sharepoint).

In the end, the only thing that worked was to use the 'Sharepoint folder' connector.  But that, by default, tries to combine all the files on the assumption that they all have the same schema (which they don't).  So I did the same thing three times, filtering for the required file each time.  It seems to create all sorts of temporary 'helper' queries and parameters.  But it does work...

Surely there's a better way?  Please can anyone steer me in the right direction.

[Anonymous]

I see.  Thank you.  So...
- Can I delete any helper queries that are lying around without doing any damage?
- Is the way I'm doing it the only way to bring in Sharepoint based xml files i.e For each one, get the whole folder and filter to the single file I require.  (It'd be greate if it automatically created a query for each xml file).
- Is there a way I can copy and paste the required M code?  (I tried this and it failed because t was referring to one of the helper files and their names can't be guaranteed).

Thanks.

[GilbertQ]

Hi @Anonymous 

I would suggest starting again and deleting all the files as this will make it easier. 

And sometimes the M code is different, so I would just do each of them individually to make sure it works as expected.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all for the general guidance.  You gave me some good poiinters and I acquainted myself with the mechanics of 'M' a bit more and it became clear what was happening and I was able to sort it.

[GilbertQ]

Hi @Anonymous 

What you can do when you get the file in from the SharePoint Folder and filter it out you can click on the BINARY in the actual column which will NOT create the helper files?