# Steps cannot run in parallel Some steps cannot run in parallel (on multiple nodes in a cluster), and will produce unexpected results. However, these steps can run as a coalesced dataset on a single node in a cluster. To enable a step to run as a coalesced dataset, add the step ID as a property value in the configuration file for using the Spark engine. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.pentaho.com/install/9.3-install/use-hadoop-with-pentaho/big-data-issues/spark-issues/steps-cannot-run-in-parallel.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.