Quick Answer
The answer is Append Queries as New, along with Append Queries, because both operations stack rows vertically from tables with identical columns into a single unified table. In Power Query, the Append operation is specifically designed for combining rows—not columns—making it the correct choice when you have multiple Excel sheets with the same structure but different row data. On the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst PL-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of data transformation in Power Query, often appearing in questions about importing from Excel workbooks with multiple sheets. A common trap is confusing Append (row stacking) with Merge (column joining); remember that Append adds rows, Merge adds columns. For a quick memory tip, think of Append as adding more records to the bottom of your table, like stacking papers on a desk—same columns, just more rows.
This PL-300 practice question tests your understanding of prepare the data. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
You are importing data from an Excel workbook. The workbook has multiple sheets. You want to combine two sheets that have the same columns but different row data. Which TWO Power Query operations can you use?
Merge Queries
Why wrong: Merge joins columns, not rows.
Group By
Why wrong: Aggregates rows, does not combine.
Append Queries
Appends rows of one table to another.
Pivot Column
Why wrong: Transforms unique values into columns.
Append Queries as New
Creates a new query with combined rows.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Append Queries
Append Queries and Append Queries as New are both correct because they combine rows from two or more tables with identical columns into a single table. In Power Query, 'Append' is the operation designed for stacking rows vertically, which matches the requirement of combining sheets with the same columns but different row data.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Merge Queries
Why it's wrong here
Merge joins columns, not rows.
Group By
Why it's wrong here
Aggregates rows, does not combine.
Append Queries
Why this is correct
Appends rows of one table to another.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Pivot Column
Why it's wrong here
Transforms unique values into columns.
Append Queries as New
Why this is correct
Creates a new query with combined rows.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'Merge' (horizontal join) with 'Append' (vertical union), or think only one of the Append options is valid, but both 'Append Queries' and 'Append Queries as New' are correct operations for combining rows.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, Append Queries performs a union operation (similar to SQL UNION ALL) without removing duplicates, stacking all rows from the first table followed by all rows from the second. In Power Query, 'Append Queries' modifies the existing query, while 'Append Queries as New' creates a separate query, both using the Table.Combine M function. A real-world scenario is consolidating monthly sales data from multiple sheets into a single dataset for year-to-date analysis.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
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FAQ
Prepare the data — This question tests Prepare the data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Append Queries — Append Queries and Append Queries as New are both correct because they combine rows from two or more tables with identical columns into a single table. In Power Query, 'Append' is the operation designed for stacking rows vertically, which matches the requirement of combining sheets with the same columns but different row data.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You are loading data from an Excel workbook that has multiple sheets. Each sheet contains sales data for a different region. You need to combine all sheets into one table. What is the most efficient approach?
mediumWhy D: Option D is correct because the 'From Folder' option in Power Query is designed to combine multiple Excel files with the same structure into a single table. By pointing to a folder containing the workbook, Power Query automatically detects all sheets as separate files and uses the 'Combine & Transform' feature to union them, which is more efficient than manually appending each sheet individually.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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