Can You Import Multiple Data Cubes in Excel 2019 Power Query?
Question details
The user wants to know if it is possible to import multiple existing data cubes simultaneously into a single Power Query workbook.
- Product
- Excel 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Trying to consolidate or load multiple data cubes into an Excel workbook using Power Query for advanced data analysis.
- Observed behavior
- Power Query requires users to connect to and load each data source individually, lacking a native feature for bulk-importing multiple data cubes in a single operation.
Ensure you have the necessary credentials, server addresses, and database names for all the data cubes you intend to connect to before starting.
Connect to Each Data Cube Separately
Since Power Query does not support bulk import of data cubes, the standard approach is to connect to each cube one at a time.
Power Query in Excel 2019 is designed to establish discrete connections for external data sources to ensure data integrity and proper query management. Importing them individually allows you to format and transform each dataset accurately before loading it into your data model.
Go to the 'Data' tab on the Excel ribbon, click on 'Get Data', and select 'From Database' followed by 'From Analysis Services' (or your specific cube source).
Input the server name and database where your first data cube is located, then follow the prompts to authenticate and select the cube.
Once the first cube is connected and loaded as a connection or into the Data Model, repeat the entire process for the remaining data cubes you need.
Automate Connections Using VBA
If you have a large number of cubes to connect to, you can use an Excel VBA macro to automate the connection process.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I merge multiple data cubes after connecting them in Power Query?
Yes. Once you have successfully connected to the data cubes individually and created separate queries, you can use Power Query's 'Merge' or 'Append' features to combine them, provided the data structures share common keys or compatible columns.
Will Microsoft add a bulk import feature for data cubes in Excel?
There is currently no official announcement for a bulk data cube import feature in Excel 2019. Users are encouraged to submit feature requests to the Microsoft Feedback Portal to help developers prioritize future updates.
Does this limitation apply to Microsoft 365 as well?
Yes, even in the latest Microsoft 365 versions, Power Query generally connects to external databases and Analysis Services cubes one connection at a time. The fundamental architecture of establishing individual query connections remains the same.
Are there third-party add-ins to import multiple cubes at once?
Some enterprise data modeling tools and specialized third-party Excel add-ins can manage bulk connections and semantic models. However, these often require additional licensing and operate outside the standard Power Query interface.
