Applies ToExcel for Microsoft 365 Excel 2024 Excel 2021 Excel 2019 Excel 2016

A Binary-typed column can store a large data size, such as an image. A large data size is known as a binary large object (BLOB). You can load blobs of data, such as an image, into the Data Model from data sources that support this data type such as SQL Server.

Tip    You can also use Power Query M Language functions, such as File.Contents and Web.Contents, to load blob data into a Data Model or even a query.

Example

For example, you want to load an image from a SQL Server database into the Data Model. Your query imports a list of product names and images.

Example data with binary columns

Procedure

  1. Load your data to the Data Model. For more information, see Create a Data Model in Excel.

  2. Select Power Pivot > Manage.

  3. Select File Switch to Advanced Mode.

  4. Select Advanced > Table Properties.

  5. To enable a column containing binary data, in the Table Properties grid, select a Binary Data column, such as ThumbNailPhoto.Example of a binary column of a thumbnail image

  6. Select File Save.

  7. Select Advanced > Table Behavior.

  8. In the Table Behavior dialog box, select a column from the Row Identifier drop-down list, such as ProductID, and then select from the Default Image drop-down list, a column such as ThumbNailPhoto.Setting table behavior

  9. Select OK.

See Also

Power Query for Excel Help

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