Performance Difference

[mh2587]

I have a question popping in my mind from yesterday which will be better in performance between Refrence Query and Duplicate Query Anyone will clear this confusion 

Thank you

[v-stephen-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @mh2587 ,

In simple terms, Duplicate will duplicate the code of the query while Query Reference will only refer the result of the query.

Duplicate is generally used when you would like to create a similar query and you do not want to type the same code. You can make changes to this query.

Reference in Query means you would like to use that Query results in some other queries where your original query remains as a base Query and it can be used in other queries for the further processing.

No difference in the size of the PBIX file or performance. behind the scene would be two queries to the data source. It is just the difference in branching rather than copying.

Reference: Reference vs Duplicate in Power BI; Power Query Back to Basics - RADACAD

                  Solved: Difference between Reference and Duplicate - Microsoft Power BI Community

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.

[BA_Pete]

Hi @mh2587 ,

As far as I'm aware there is broadly no difference between the two.

Power Query generally doesn't cache the results of the source query to populate the referenced query, so you would end up making the same number of calls to the source either way.

However, I am aware of some exceptionally technical discussions around this subject on MS Technet. If you want to really get into the brain-busting details of this, then track down some of Ehren's posts on there. Otherwise I would just assume no difference and save yourself the brainpain.

Pete