Power Query Combine EXISTING tables in tabular model

[Anonymous]

I would like to combine two existing/already imported tables and form a new table without having to "re-import" them (importing table, duplicate query, merge and then import the combined table). Thus I wont have to redo existing work.

These would be the existing two tables.

I would then open Power Query by clicking on of them and selecting Designer to launch Power Query.

BUT then when I go to Combine it wont show me the second table which I want to combine with.

Is there a way to combine these two existing tables? Am I missing something simple or is there a more complicated solution.

[v-jianboli-msft]

Hi @Anonymous ,

You can use the shared Expression to help merging two existing tables:

Here is a simple sample:

First create a shared expression:

Then you can use the expression to merge/ append:

Then create new table and import

Final output:

Besides, you may need to create relationship for the new created table manually.

Best Regards,

Jianbo Li

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[Anonymous]

hi @v-jianboli-msft 

Thank you for the response. I would like to merge existing tables imported from SQL server source under "Data Sources".

It seems that is not possible. You have to create your data sources as expressions in order to merge them.

[v-jianboli-msft]

Hi @Anonymous ,

This article may help you: Quirks of Visual Studio Query Editor working with Analysis Services – business intelligist

If you were to open the Query Editor screen for another table in the Tables folder, you will not see any other tables, but you will see the new (shared) Expression. With this, you can merge, append, or do whatever else you’d like.

Best Regards,

Jianbo Li

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

[Anonymous]

hi @v-jianboli-msft 

So it seems that it is not possible to say merge two existing tables imported from the source eg a table/view from SQL database?

Or are you saying that you should copy ALL your SQL queries into the "native query" part of Power Query?

It seems that this may not be effecient if the majority of the model's source is from SQL. Also would all relationships be created automatically if you generate all tables in this manner?