In general, you should reduce the number of columns you import via Power Query to the minimum you require. Here is a quick technique to make that a bit easier.
Category Archives: Power BI
Excel Power Query and Data Types
Get the Type right
Data types are an important part of Power Query in Excel and Power BI. They define the type of data that should be in a column. When performing some calculations, getting the column data type right is vital.
Power Query Zoom
I used this today in a live webinar.
I zoomed into the Power Query window in Excel to make it easier to see.
Ctrl + Shift + + (plus)
Power Query Finding Text in Another Column
Return TRUE if text is in another column
If you need to find if text is in a column you can use the Text.PositionOf function to confirm it exists.
Excel Power Query and Multiple Files [one hour video]
Includes detailed pdf manual
Getting data into Excel and in the correct layout and format is the important starting point for any Excel project.
Power Query can automate the importation process. It is now a vital skill to possess.
This is a follow up session to the Introduction session which you can view here.
This session focuses on importing multiple files from a folder. The session uses CSV and Excel files plus Excel tables.
This is a video of a free live training session I ran in May 2021 – over 100 people attended – please share this resource with friends and colleagues. No editing has been done to the video.
(Apologies I did have a coughing fit – I thought I had turned off the microphone but I hadn’t.)
Use the button below to download the pdf manual and example files so you can follow along.
We need to get the word out on this powerful Excel feature.
(Note: Power Query is also part of Power BI, the skills you learn also apply to that.)
Introduction To Excel Power Query [one hour video]
Includes detailed pdf manual
Getting data into Excel and in the correct layout and format is the important starting point for any Excel project.
Power Query can automate the importation process.
It is now a vital skill to possess.
This is a video of a free live training session I ran in May 2021 – over 100 people attended – please share this resource with friends and colleagues. No editing has been done to the video.
Use the button below to download the pdf manual and example files so you can follow along.
We need to get the word out on this powerful Excel feature.
(Note: Power Query is also part of Power BI, the skills you learn also apply to that.)
Financial Year in Power Query
184 is the magic number
If you need to extract the Australian Financial Year from a date in Power Query here is how to do it.
Microsoft
2021-04-08
2021-04-08
Don’t split your data in Excel
If you have Power Query you can consolidate the data
I have received a few questions recently relating to working with data spread across multiple sheets. In general, if the data is in the same layout, keep it in one table.
Stop Power Query from automatically setting Data Types
It is a setting
When you transform data using Power Query it will often automatically promote the headers (use first rows headers) and guess the data types for each column. You can stop it doing this.
Power Query and large data sets
Saving time
When working with some large data sets in Power Query it may be useful to default your Close and Load option to Connection Only rather than a Table. That way if you do strike an issue it won’t take ages to load to data.
Power Query shortcut for Adults
The shortcut to display the Queries & Connections Task Pane is easy to remember. It is Adults Only!
To display or hide the Queries & Connections Task Pane you use. These keys are pressed in sequence, not held down.
So only adults allowed in Power Query.
Related Posts
IFERROR in Power QUERY
Keep trying
Power Query does not have an IFERROR function. It does however have another function that performs the same type of calculation.
Creating a list of files in Excel
Power Query solution
Let’s say that you need to create a list of files in a folder. This is possible using VBA, but it is also possible in Power Query and it’s much easier to do in Power Query.
Grouping Measures in Power BI
Its in the Model View
It is considered best practice to use Measures for all your values in Power BI reports and dashboards. One way to make it easier to find Measures is to group them together.
Creating Groups for Power Queries in Excel
Put some order in your queries
Once you start to use Power Query you may find yourself with quite a few queries in the one file. To make it easier to control them you can use groups to keep similar queries together.
Changing the Close & Load settings in a Power Query
Its a right click option
A recent attendee at a webinar posed the question, can you change the Close & Load setting on an existing query? Here is the answer.
Power Query feedback
Received this email after a recent Power Query session – some things may take a few goes to understand, that’s OK, that’s how we learn.
Free Webinar Recording – Introduction to Power Query
Feedback score 94.5% based on 91 responses
In October 2019 I ran my Introduction to Power Query webinar for free (previously it was a paid session). I want to get this information out to as many people as possible. please share this resource with colleagues and your network.
The detailed pdf manual and example file can be downloaded by using the button below. Content listed below the video.
Power Query allows you to automatically perform data cleansing routines on your data sources – no manual intervention required. Simply refresh and your data is ready to use. You can use csv files; txt files; databases and existing Excel tables as your data sources. Learn the basics, plus an advanced technique to automate data cleansing routines on your data sources.
CPD note – if you are claiming CPD for watching this recording you need to keep your own records. People who attend the live sessions receive an annual listing of attendances.
This session covers
- fixing dates so that Excel can recognise them
- formatting columns as text – retaining leading zeroes in CSV files
- deleting unwanted rows and columns from your data
- removing leading and trailing spaces
- populating blank values with zeroes
- populating blanks with entries from above
- correcting trailing minus signs
- unpivot a report – how to convert a report layout into a data table layout
- converting a MYOB report into a data table
Promoting Headers Issue in Power Query
Be careful if a first row name changes
Promoting headers in Power Query means using the first row as column headers. In Power Query this is a useful and common option. In some cases it is even automated. There is one time though when you don’t want to use it.
Power Query Fill Down Doesn’t Work
The fix is easy
Sometimes when working with CSV files in Power Query you may strike the situation where Fill Down doesn’t fill down. Don’t worry there is an easy fix.
A listing of all the DAX functions with their syntax.
DAX functions are used in Power BI and PowerPivot for Excel.
It is a reference site, not a training site.
It has been created by Marco Russo and Alberto Ferrari – legends in Power BI and all things DAX.
Power Query
Its always great to receive e-mails like this. Power Query is a game changer.
Power Query and Open Excel Files
Old school solution
Power Query can easily combine data from multiple Excel files. A problem can arise if one or more of the files is open. Power Query will generate an error and the import will fail. The solution involves an old school Excel feature.
Creating a table of all combinations in Excel [Video]
Power Query solution
Let’s assume you have three state codes and four department codes and you want to create a table of all the possible 12 combinations (3 x 4). How do you do it so that it is flexible? i.e. if you add a new state or department it must be easy to update the combination table.
Filter in Power BI Data View
Filtering coming soon to the Data view in Power BI. Fingers crossed this gets done soon – patience everyone.
Dates are Easy with Power Query
Getting the date right and save time
You can create complex functions with Excel to handle dates. But it makes more sense to get your data structured correctly and then you can use simpler date formulas. Power Query allows you to fix your data so that you can use those simpler formulas.
Power Query Privacy Setting Problem
Excel 2016 solution
Privacy settings allow you to control who sees the Power Query data. There seems to be a bug that remembers your response to a dialog and this ignores any changes to the Privacy settings. Find out the VBA line of code that can fix it.
PDF and Power BI
Looks like Power BI will soon be able to extract data from tables in PDF documents.
Great to see requests being acted on.
Understanding Filter Context in DAX
An Excel-based explanation
Are you trying to get your head around Filter context in DAX? I watched a video from the sqlbi.com guys and it explained it well. I thought I could add an Excel flavour to it.
This link above is a great resource for Power Query data connectors.
It is listed alphabetic order.