Power Query: Import and Transform Data Like a Pro
Power Query: Import and Transform Data
What is Power Query?
Power Query is Excel's built-in ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) tool for automated data preparation and cleaning.
Accessing Power Query
Go to Data tab > Get Data
Supported Data Sources
- Excel files (.xlsx, .xls)
- CSV and Text files
- Databases (SQL Server, Access, Oracle)
- Web pages and APIs
- Folders (combine multiple files)
Common Transformations
Remove Columns
Right-click column header > Remove
Filter Rows
Click dropdown arrow > Filter options
Change Data Types
Right-click column > Change Type
Split Columns
Transform > Split Column > By Delimiter
Merge Queries
Combine tables like SQL JOIN operations
Best Practices
- Name your steps clearly
- Remove unnecessary columns early
- Set correct data types
- Use parameters for file paths
Refreshing Queries
- Manual: Data > Refresh All
- Automatic: Query Properties > Refresh every X minutes
Conclusion
Power Query revolutionizes data preparation and saves countless hours of manual work.
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