How Power Query can save you time
Power Query is one of Excel's most powerful and flexible tools, and it can make seemingly complex tasks a breeze. Instead of wrangling with cell formulas, Power Query helps you automate data cleaning, transformation, and consolidation with just a few clicks, saving you hours of manual work.
Here are five ways in which Power Query can help:
Cleaning and transforming raw data
Manually manipulating data can take hours. Power Query can perform tasks such as removing duplicates, filtering rows, and splitting text into columns in just a few clicks without affecting the source data.
Combining data from multiple tables
Imagine you have customer data spread across multiple Excel tables, and you want to consolidate your data into a single unified table. Power Query can quickly combine these datasets without you having to manipulate them manually or write cell formulas.
Consolidating data from files in a folder
Suppose you need to create a monthly sales report that uses data from multiple Excel files. Instead of manually creating the report each month, Power Query can help you streamline the process. Simply refresh the report, and Power Query updates everything for you.
Importing data from different sources
Power Query lets you pull data from files, databases, websites, and more. It can also help you stay up-to-date when the underlying data changes by refreshing it.
Pivoting and unpivoting data
Suppose you want to create a PivotTable, but the underlying table isn't appropriately structured. Power Query can pivot or unpivot tables, making it easier to analyze your data.
If you want to learn more about using Power Query and how it can help you, I'm running my Mastering Power Query course on September 10. It's filled with practical examples of using Power Query and exercises so you can try them out for yourself. You can find out more on the training page, including how to register.
There's also a dedicated Power Query chapter in the Excel Cookbook.