Merging columns is a super easy task in Power Query. What we need to know is where to click.
Having said that, we need to pay attention to
- The order of selecting columns to be merged, as it directly impacts on the result;
- The difference between doing it under Transform tab or Add Column tab in the Power Query Editor.
You may download a sample file to follow along:
Order of selecting column
This is indeed intuitive. When we try to merge multiple columns in Power Query, the first step we do is to select the columns to be merged. Power Query will remember the order of our selection.
For example, if we want the result to be “First and Last Name”, then we should select the column “First Name” first, “Last Name” last. On the contrary, if we want “Last and First Name” as a result, we should then select the column “Last Name” first, followed by “First Name”.
Very straightforward!
Transform or Add Column
On the ribbon of Power Query Editor, we see a few command buttons under both Transform and Add Column tabs. Merge Columns is one of those buttons.
It seems confusing but it is not. The difference is how we want to see the output.
- If we don’t want to keep the original columns, use the command button under Transform tab;
- If we want to keep the original columns, use the command button under Add Column tab
As simple as this! 😉
Watch it in action!
wmfexcel 