Why learn Power Query?

Power Query is one of the most important tools available in Excel due to its power and versatility. You can use it to:

• Import data from various sources, including files, websites, and databases. For example, if you have many Excel files with the same structure in a single folder, you can use the From Folder wizard to combine the data from each one in a single Excel table.

• Transform data using the Power Query editor. Use it to remove duplicate rows, split columns by delimiter, extract codes, add extra columns, apply complex filters, and more.

• Automate repetitive data transformations without using macros or VBA. Power Query saves all the steps you take when transforming data, so if the underlying data changes, you can quickly rerun those steps at the click of a button.

• Load data to an Excel table, PivotTable, or PivotChart, and (optionally) add it to the data model.

This month, I've been putting the finishing touches to my new live online course: Mastering Power Query with MS Excel. It's filled with practical examples showing how to use Power Query and exercises for you to try techniques out for yourself. You can find out more on the training page, including how to register.

I've also started gathering recipes for the Excel Cookbook Power Query chapter. I hope to share some of these with you in separate articles.