Conceptual

Power Query Merge vs Append Tables for Data Combination

The core principle involves data integration techniques using relational algebraic operations—specifically Join and Union—to combine disparate datasets based on schema compatibility or key relationships. The theory distinguishes between appending tables (Union), which stacks rows of identical column structures, versus merging tables (Join), which combines columns from different tables by matching values in designated keys to preserve specific row subsets. This mechanism operates within the domain of data engineering and ETL processes, providing a formal theoretical framework for resolving multi-source discrepancies through inner/outer join logic or set stacking rules.