How to merge two tables by a column using M power query?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I've currently got two tables that I'm trying to merge, one is from a data source and the other is a custom table that's been created in Power BI. I've updated the custom table with a new row data  and works fine. Now, I would like to include this new row into my source table by combining the two.

I was able to initially merge this using related tables, but after adding in a new row, the related table doesn't seem to pull the updated data from the custom table. From reading articles, it was recommended to do power query instead of dax? I've applied a merge query but this also doesn't seem to work as I still couldn't see the new row/definition from custom table? Any suggestions would be really appreciated... I'm novice in M an I can't seem to work out what it is Im doing wrong?

Custom Table
Existing Row	Data A	Data
New Row	Data B	Data

Wanted outcome:

Source Data Table
Existing Row	Data A	Data
New Row	Data B	Data

[PhilipTreacy]

@Anonymous 

No worries 🙂

[PhilipTreacy · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous 

When you merge in Power Query you get to choose the Join Kind (how the tables are merged).  The merge requires a matching column in both tables with values that can be linked together.

The default join in PQ is Left Outer which means it will omit rows in the 2nd table if there isn't a matching value in the 1st table.

In this image, the tables are being joined on the Name column.

If your new row in the 2nd table doesn't have a corresponding value in Table 1 - like the name DD in the above image, it won't get merged into the new table if you use a Left Outer Join.

If you are still having trouble with this, please post your tables so I can see what data you are working with.

Regards

Phil

---

If I answered your question please mark my post as the solution.
If my answer helped solve your problem, give it a kudos by clicking on the Thumbs Up.

[Anonymous]

Hi @PhilipTreacy 

Well, I'm just feeling really silly now. I did previously merge using the left outer join but didn't think to double check the formatting of the name. The notorious extra spacing caught me. I've removed this and I'm now able to merge the two tables.

Thank you for your help 🙂