Is creating a Dataflow from another Dataflow without linking entities possible?

[AnthonyMCUBI]

Hi everyone,

I'd like to create a dataflow from another, already created, dataflow table. The only way I know how to do this currently is using the linking entities feature which is only allowed by premium users, but my employer only gave us non-premium accounts. One of the main benefits described by linking entities in the power BI documentation is that it links entities without duplicating data, but I'm ok with dupliation. Is there an alternative, non-premium feature that creates a dataflow from another?  non-duplication is not necessary.

Thank you,

Anthony

[GilbertQ]

Hi there

The only way I could think of is to copy and paste all the M code from the first dataflow and then add in the additional steps that you want to do?

[AnthonyMCUBI]

Hi Gilbert,

I should've added more context. We already have a set of dataflows that are defined with orthogonal, minimal data in an effort to transmit the least amount of information "over the wire" to the powerbi service as possible. But, we'd like to have a different interface for the end-user than these minimal dataflows, and it'd be nice to be able to transform them in the powerbi service into second set of dataflows that are organized better for that aforementioned end-user. Does that make sense?

Because of that, copy-pasting the M code would be insufficient, not because of the data copies in the powerbi service, but because of the redundant data sent over HTTP.

[GilbertQ · Accepted solution]

Hi there,

Yes that all makes sense and as far as I am aware that is only currently available with Power BI Premium.