Power Query for Data Analysis

Course Summary

This practical 1-day course equips participants with the ability to clean, reshape, and automate data preparation tasks using Power Query—Microsoft’s powerful data transformation tool available in Excel and Power BI. Whether used for monthly reporting, dashboard inputs, or merging multiple sources, Power Query simplifies time-consuming data tasks through a no-code, step-by-step interface.

Participants will also be introduced to AI-assisted workflows, including how Microsoft Copilot and Generative AI tools can support query creation, logic generation, and data structure optimization.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

    • Access and import data from multiple file types and folders

    • Remove errors, blank rows, duplicates, and inconsistencies

    • Merge and append datasets from multiple sources

    • Perform custom column calculations and transformations

    • Automate recurring data preparation workflows

    • Apply Copilot suggestions and AI features for logic generation and transformation queries

Target Audience

    • Analysts, administrative staff, and finance teams managing recurring Excel reports

    • Professionals preparing dashboards, monthly reports, or cleaning raw data

    • Power BI and Excel users looking to automate manual cleaning tasks

Course Modules (Simplified Overview)

Participants will work through realistic data scenarios and explore:

    • Introduction to the Power Query Editor
      Understand the interface, query steps, and how Power Query fits into Excel and Power BI workflows.

    • Connecting to Data Sources
      Import from Excel, CSV, databases, SharePoint folders, and web-based APIs.

    • Data Cleaning Essentials
      Remove blank rows, fix column types, split columns, replace errors, and apply filters using simple transformations.

    • Merging and Appending Tables
      Combine multiple files, worksheets, or folders using Append Queries and Merge Queries with matching keys.

    • Custom Columns and Conditional Logic
      Create calculated columns using formulas and conditional logic for categorization, tagging, or segmentation.

    • Workflow Automation and Applied Steps
      Learn how to structure and reuse queries without redoing the cleaning steps each time new data arrives.

    • Using AI to Assist with Logic and Transformations
      Explore how Copilot in Excel or Power BI can help write formulas, suggest queries, and explain transformation steps.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will gain the ability to:

    • Prepare clean, structured datasets for analysis and reporting

    • Replace manual Excel cleanup with automated workflows

    • Apply AI to reduce the time required for repetitive data transformation tasks

Course Duration & Format

    • Duration: 1 Day
    • Mode: Physical / Virtual / Hybrid
    • HRDC Claimable: Yes

Trainer

Led by a certified Power BI and Excel Specialist with experience in financial reporting, HR data transformation, and enterprise dashboard preparation. Trainer is HRDC-recognized and proficient in end-to-end report automation workflows.

Eliminate Manual Cleanup. Automate with Power Query.

Reach out to book this course for your internal team or register for an upcoming public run. Perfect for Excel and Power BI users who handle recurring data cleanup, consolidation, and dashboard preparation.