Power Query – Introduction
Module 1: Introduction to Power Query
What is Power Query?
Power Query is a data connection technology that enables you to discover, connect, combine, and refine data across a wide variety of sources. It is built into Excel (from version 2016 onward) and can be accessed through the **Data** tab under the **Get & Transform Data** section.
Why Use Power Query?
- Automates repetitive data-cleaning tasks
- Simplifies combining data from multiple sources
- Reduces the need for manual formulas and copy-pasting
- Improves reliability and traceability of data transformations
Real-World Examples
- Importing monthly sales reports from multiple Excel files and combining them
- Cleaning survey data by removing duplicates and formatting columns
- Merging customer data from a CSV file with transaction data from a database
How to Access Power Query in Excel
1. Open Microsoft Excel. 2. Go to the **Data** tab. 3. Locate the **Get & Transform Data** section.
From here, you can:
- Import data from Excel, web, databases, and other formats.
- Launch the **Power Query Editor** to shape your data.
Hands-on Exercise
Goal: Open Power Query Editor and explore its interface.
Steps:
- Open Excel and create a new blank workbook.
- Go to the Data tab and click on Get Data > From Workbook.
- Select any Excel file and load a sheet with data.
- In the Navigator window, click “Transform Data”.
- Explore the Power Query Editor window – look at the applied steps, preview area, and ribbon.
Key Terms
- Query – A set of steps that transform your data
- Applied Steps – The list of transformations done on the data
- Data Source – Where the original data comes from (Excel file, database, etc.)
Recap
In this module, you learned what Power Query is, how to access it, and why it's useful for data preparation and automation.
