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CP040: Intro. to Power Query – What is it and how to get started – with Miguel Escobar

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In the 40th session of Chandoo.org podcast, Let’s talk about Power Query. I have the pleasure and fortune to catch up with Miguel Escobar (who along with Ken Puls runs PowerQuery.Training website) and talk about this very exciting piece of technology and how it can make our life simpler.

Introduction to Power Query - What is it and how to get started? An interview with Miguel Escobar - Chandoo.org Podcast - CP040

What is in this session?

In this podcast,

  • Welcome
  • Miguel’s introduction, background and current projects
  • What is Power Query
  • How to install it
  • Sample use cases of Power Query
  • What is Power BI
  • Resources for learning Power Query – Books & Courses

Listen to this session

Click here to download the MP3 file.

Learn more about Power Query

Books:

I recommend 2 books for learning more about Power Query.

Online classes:

Ken & Miguel regularly run an online class teaching hands-on techniques, implementation guidelines and secrets about Power Query. I have signed up for their next class and eagerly looking forward to it. I recommend going for their class if you want to seriously improve your Power Query skills.

Special offer worth $59 for Chandoo.org listeners

As a podcast listener, here is a special offer for you from PowerQuery.Training.

Use the discount code CHANDOO when signing up for their upcoming live session and get 10% off on the course fees.

Click here to signup for their upcoming class.

Note: Ken & Miguel are good friends and partners of Chandoo.org. When you join this course from above link, I receive a small commission. I am recommending this course because I genuinely think their program is suitable & awesome for anyone needing Power Query instruction.

Transcript of this session:

Download this podcast transcript [PDF]

Are you using Power Query? What has been your experience with it?

I have been playing with Power Query for last 18 months. I really like the technology and what it can do for us, analysts. I regularly use it to clean data, do quick transformations and set up models.

What about you? Have you been using Power Query? What is your experience like? Please share your success story in the comments.

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10 Responses to “CP040: Intro. to Power Query – What is it and how to get started – with Miguel Escobar”

  1. Aaron says:

    Chandoo - thank you for this podcast! I've been using Power Query since April and introduced it to my finance team at work. Prior to Power Query, financial analysis was done via messy spreadsheets, manual formulas, and multiple linked workbooks. Power Query has helped "save the day" - transforming our static models into pivotable, dynamic "data" for performing real analytics. The more people that know about Power Query the better 🙂 Miguel and Ken's site/articles/videos are an amazing resource!

  2. jeff rowe says:

    I am recommending this course not because I genuinely think their program is suitable & awesome for anyone needing Power Query instruction.

    Shouldn't that be "I am recommending this course because I genuinely think their program is suitable & awesome for anyone needing Power Query instruction."

  3. […] Read the full article here: CP040: Intro to Power Query – What is it and how to get started – with Miguel Escobar […]

  4. Msquared99 says:

    I have been using Power Query for a while. I love it!

    I can combine different tables from SalesForce and merge them before exporting them to Excel. I am able to use other data sources and combine that data with SalesForce to create dashboard reports that are very easy to update.

    I used to run 23 reports using Crystal Reports. I was able to re-create those reports using Power Query and have them in one workbook. Now all I have to do is adjust the date range and and click refresh all in the Excel data tab and I am done.

    As a business analyst, Power Query has made my life much easier.

  5. Cesar says:

    Hi Chandoo,
    I do have a question.
    In PowerQuery, what is the difference between NULL and ZERO?
    Thanks in advance!!

    • Brian says:

      Hi in power query I want to use the steps to clean up a new data download bascially use an existing query for new data. Could you please advise how do I go about it?

      Thanks
      Brian

  6. cas says:

    Power Query is wonderful and could not do my job without it!

    I am a SQL Server 2008 R2 DBA who was laid off 2015-June. As luck would have it, I was able to land a job quickly but not as a DBA. With power query loaded into excel 2010, I am able to create complex T-SQL statements containing CTE's, XML un-pivot syntax, SQL variables, correlated sub-queries, call stored procedures, and all join operators (inner, outer, full, intersect, and except) accessing a SQL Server 2005 SP3 backend.

  7. Ron MVP says:

    Excel 2016, I've used Get and transform to transform data that comes in this format, single cell:
    13-1/8" x 99-0"
    manipulate it to split it into 2 columns and change into 2 formula's ie
    =13+1/8 =99+0

    So I've reached that point. Now I need 2 more processes to happen

    What I need to do is in G&T trigger a refresh to perform the calculation to give results ie
    13.125 99.0

    After the calculation is done I need to apply roundup to the result, ie
    =roundup(13.125,0) =roundup(99.0,0)

    The results is what I need to send back to the user
    14 99

  8. Saul says:

    Great podcast!, I need this book in electronic version to my email, any suggestion?

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