Power Query Combine vs. Append: Key Differences and Usage
Question details
The user needs to understand the functional differences between the Combine and Append features in Power Query and determine which tool is appropriate for their specific data consolidation scenario.
- Product
- Power Query
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Stacking or consolidating data rows from multiple tables, files, or data sources into a single dataset.
- Observed behavior
- Seeking clarity on when to select Combine directly from the source's Content column versus when to load tables individually and use the Append Queries function.
Verify where your data tables currently reside. Check whether all the tables are located in a single folder/workbook or if they originate from entirely different databases and file paths.
Use Combine for Multiple Tables from a Single Source
Choose the Combine feature when consolidating multiple files from the same folder or multiple tables from the same workbook.
Combine is highly efficient because it streamlines the consolidation process directly from the source connection. Instead of loading every table separately, Power Query automatically generates a sample file query and a helper function to process and stack all items in the folder uniformly.
Navigate to the Data tab, select 'Get Data', and choose a multi-item source such as 'From Folder' or 'From Workbook'.
In the preview window, locate the 'Content' column. Click the 'Combine Files' icon (the double downward-pointing arrows) in the column header.
Select a sample file or table in the prompt window to define the structure, then click OK. Power Query will automatically extract and stack the data from all files in that source.
Use Append for Tables from Different Sources
Choose the Append feature when your tables come from different origins or have already been loaded into Power Query as separate connections.
Consolidate Data Easily with WPS Spreadsheet
If you need a simpler way to merge datasets without configuring complex query connections, WPS Spreadsheet offers straightforward, built-in data consolidation tools. It provides a lightweight, user-friendly environment for stacking and analyzing data.
- 1. Open your workbook in WPS: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open the file containing the various tables you wish to combine.
- 2. Access the Consolidate tool: Navigate to the Data tab on the top ribbon menu and click on the 'Consolidate' button.
- 3. Select your data ranges: Choose your desired calculation function, add the different data range references to the 'All references' list, and click OK to merge your data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both Combine and Append in the same Power Query project?
Yes. A common workflow is to use Combine to merge multiple uniform files from a folder into a single query, and then use Append to stack that resulting combined query with another reference table from a totally different database.
Does Combine work with files that have different formats?
Combine is heavily optimized for files in a folder that share the exact same format and structural schema (e.g., all CSVs or all Excel files with the same headers). If the files have vastly different formats, you must connect to them individually and then use Append.
Will appending queries duplicate my data?
Appending simply stacks all rows from the selected tables together. If your source tables contain identical rows, they will appear as duplicates in the final appended query. To resolve this, you must explicitly apply a 'Remove Duplicates' step after appending.
Why is the Combine icon missing in my Power Query Editor?
The Combine icon (the double downward arrows) only appears in the Content column when you connect to a folder or a workbook containing multiple files or tables. If you connect directly to a single table or a text file, that option will not be available.
