How to load only required columns

[kiril]

Dear community,

we are building dashboards using CDS and Dynamics as data sources. We load tables like accounts, contacts, activitypointers and activityparties. Those tables have a large amount of columns, which I want to decrease.

Our current approach is to "select columns", which adds a step in which only relevant columns are selected. This however feels "wrong", because all the columns are loaded in the previous step. I don't want to load all this data, just to remove it.

How can I load only relevant columns into Power BI Desktop?

[Syndicate_Admin]

Good

Can you explain the solution in more detail?

I have tried to implement it and it has been impossible for me to do so...

Greetings

[jurriejoachim]

Just:

Choose Columns Trick In Power Query

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mNDh4KFz60

[v-stephen-msft]

Hi @kiril ,

Currently power bi doesn't support importing specific columns into power bi desktop when connnecting to CDS and Dynamics. However, you can first import these columns into database(e.g.: sql server) and then use sql query to import specific columns into power bi.

Best Regards,

Stephen Tao

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

[kiril · Accepted solution]

Thank you. Unfortunately, SQL server is not an option for us.

However, the following approach solved my problem:

1. Create a new query
2. Define the OData query as needed, instead of navigating from the top of the orgnisation:

= OData.Feed("https://org.api.crm.dynamics.com/api/data/v9.1/accounts?$select=accountid,name", null, [Implementation="2.0"])

[ravi_609]

Not Working. It is filtered perticular column but other column is also coming with error

[v-stephen-msft]

Hi @kiril ,

Great! Thank you for letting me learn new knowledge.

Please accept your own reply as the solution. More people will benefit from it.

Best Regards,

Stephen Tao

[amitchandak]

Let us check with Imkef

@ImkeF , is there any better way in power query for that?