Automating data transformation in dataflows using a single mapping sheet

Microsoft Power Apps lets you use advanced data preparation to create a dataflow, which is a collection of data. This allows you to connect to different business data sources, clean and transform the data, and then store it in Microsoft Dataverse.

Dataflows are particularly useful for automating data integration and preparing data for use in apps, analytics, and business processes within the Power Platform.

Getting started with dataflow

A dataflow consists of multiple tables that you can create and manage within your Power Apps environment. You can add or edit these tables and set up automatic data refresh schedules, all from the same environment where the dataflow was created.

Using SharePoint sites for automated dataflow transformation

We can create a dataflow using SharePoint sites, where we use two different sites containing Excel sheets. One site holds the Excel file that needs transformation, while the other site has a mapping sheet used to map columns to a destination file.

Although we can perform these tasks using Excel and XML, SharePoint sites allow us to automate the transformation process efficiently.

Efficient data transformation using a single sheet method

When using a SharePoint site, repeatedly transforming data in multiple site files can be challenging. The best approach is to create a single sheet containing all transformation data and use the same file across multiple files with a single query. This ensures efficiency and consistency in data processing.

The purpose of mapping is to create a single sheet for multiple mapped columns, allowing us to use the same sheet for various transformations in SharePoint site. In the given scenario, we consider only one mapping dataset for shift column. Our file contains data where “Shift 1” and so on need to be transformed into “Day,” “Evening,” etc., across thousands of records.

Applying transformations in the destination sheet

In the destination sheet, we can create a custom column and insert a query that applies the transformation. This query will generate a new column with the desired transformed values based on the mapping sheet. This method ensures automated data transformation without manual updates.

To efficiently perform this transformation, we use the given query.

Here:

• Mapping → The table name.
• Shift → The destination column name where original data should be placed.
• Source Column Name → The column name from the mapping sheet, representing the original data.
• Value → The transformed values that should replace the source data.

Viewing the transformed data in the destination sheet

After adding the custom column and applying the query, we can now see a new column in the destination sheet with the desired transformations. This ensures that the data has been successfully mapped and modified according to our predefined rules.

By creating a single mapping sheet in SharePoint, we can efficiently manage data transformations across multiple sheets. This approach simplifies data processing by centralizing transformation rules, reducing redundancy, and ensuring consistency. Using custom columns and queries, we can automate data transformations in destination sheets, making the process seamless and error-free.

Keep in mind

One challenge we face in data transformation is that we cannot use multiple files within a single SharePoint site for transformation. However, we can use multiple SharePoint sites in a dataflow to transform data. In such cases, we can still use a single mapping sheet from one site to manage transformations across multiple sites, ensuring a centralized and efficient data transformation process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, automating data transformation in dataflows using a single mapping sheet offers a streamlined approach to managing complex data processing tasks. By centralizing transformation rules and leveraging SharePoint’s automation capabilities, you can enhance efficiency, maintain data consistency, and reduce manual effort.
If you have any questions about automating dataflows or need support with your data transformation projects, feel free to reach out to us at marketing@confiz.com. Our experts are here to help!