Query Folding and Query References

[AUaero]

Hey folks, I can't find the answer to this in the docs, so maybe someone here can clarify.  I have a Power Query script that pulls data from a SQL Server table.  Call this query A.  This query folds just fine as indicated by the fact that I can view the native query in PQ.  If I create a new query that references the query A (call this one query B), I can't view the native query.  Am I correct in assuming that the reference to query A breaks folding for query B?

We use a stage/load pattern for all of our PQ development where we stage untransformed tables but don't load them to PBI.  We then do any transformations against a reference to the staged table and then load the transformed table to PBI.  If this breaks folding then we'll need to rethink our approach.

Thanks!

[ajinkyacgaikwad]

Please watch this video on Query Folding: https://youtu.be/_8WUVlYGekk

[AlexisOlson · Accepted solution]

Not being able to view the native query doesn't always mean that it won't fold. In this case, I think it probably is still folding but just isn't generating the native query preview. Try adding a simple filter step after referencing and see if it shows the native query option or not (this works for me on a simple example I just tried).

For more on this, I recommend this Guy in a Cube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEFze-LdLqo

(You can skip the first 3 minutes to jump right to the relevant part.)

[AUaero]

Thanks, Alexis - I tested as you suggested and you're right, query folding is still in effect.