Excel Power Query: Import Folder Files in Date Modified Order
Question details
The user needs to combine files from a folder in Date modified or Date created order.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel Power Query
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A folder connector query is being used to combine multiple files, and the file sequence must be controlled before or after the Combine Files transformation.
- Observed behavior
- Power Query may combine files in an unspecified order, or the desired source-file order may be lost during transformation.
Confirm that the folder connector returns a Date modified or Date created column for every file and that the files use compatible column structures. Identify whether the required order is oldest-to-newest or newest-to-oldest before editing the query.
Sort the folder query before using Combine Files
Use this method when the source file date should determine the order of rows in the combined result.
The folder connector exposes file metadata before the binary Content values are combined. Sorting this staging query first lets the Combine Files operation process the files in the required sequence, provided later transformations do not remove or reorder the source information.
In Excel, select Data > Get Data > From File > From Folder, choose the folder, and click Transform Data to open the Power Query Editor. If the query already exists, open it from Data > Queries & Connections.
In the folder query preview, locate Date modified or Date created, select the column, then choose Home > Sort Ascending for oldest-first order or Sort Descending for newest-first order.
Click the Content column, then select Home > Combine Files > Combine & Transform Data. Selecting Content enables the Combine Files command while retaining the sorted file list.
Check the combined preview and applied steps, then choose Home > Close & Load or Close & Load To to return the ordered data to Excel.
Restore the order after combining files
Use this fallback when the Combine Files transformation changes the sequence or when the final table must remain traceable to each source file.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Power Query not combine files in Date modified order automatically?
The folder connector returns file metadata, but the combine process does not guarantee the order you need unless you explicitly sort the staging query. Sort Date modified or Date created before selecting Content and starting Combine Files.
Which Power Query column should I select to combine folder files?
Select the Content column in the folder connector query. This column contains each file's binary data and enables the Home > Combine Files command.
Should I sort Date modified before or after Combine Files?
Sort Date modified before Combine Files when the source file sequence controls the output order. If that order is lost, retain the source date and sort the final query after combining.
How can I handle files with the same modification time?
Apply a secondary sort by file name, Date created, or an index column. This creates a predictable tie-breaker when two files have identical Date modified values.
What happens if the source date column is removed during transformation?
You may no longer be able to verify or restore file order. Return to the folder connector query and keep Date modified, Date created, or the source file name until the final sorting step is complete.
