Forum Discussion
Power Query Understanding
Peter, no, I mean Source step (very first one), usually that's default name for the first step.
If you click on it in formula bar will be something like
Change file name here and Enter.
If you'd like to combine all files into one table that's what Abiola1 suggested. But even if that's the purpose I'd suggest to play before with queries one by one, just for training purposes.
Kindly put all the three workbooks inside a folder. Then, open a blank Excel workbook and follow:
Data > Get Data > From Folder.. Then browse through the folder path and click on Combine.
The power query will be opened. Then you can perform required cleaning and transformation.
Cheers
Hi
I tried this and got it to work - to some extent!
I started with Jan & Feb files in the folder and went through the process as you described. But I have a couple of questions please.
I am using CSV files and the first message i get is shown below:
I am not sure what to select here. In the drop down the names of the Jan & Feb files are there. Should I just accept the default and click OK?
When I did click OK it opens the query and I see the following:
My query is the Ch03 CSV files - I assume the others are just provided for completeness and I can ignore? Or can these be deleted?
And final 2 questions - I get the following. I assume column 1 can just be deleted as it is for my information? The TranDate is in US format. I tried to change it using Change Type ->Using Locale -> Date -> English (United States) but it appeared to make no difference.
Anything you can advise would be most helpful!
kind regards.
Peter
1) If all files have exactly the same structure it doesn't matter which file to select and default First file is okay. It could be a case when, for example, you have different number of columns in the files. When better to have the template with max number of columns and no data and use it as a sample.
2) Yes, Ch03 CSV Files usually shall be the only with which you continue to transform data if necessary. Other file are automatically generated and you may forget about them. However, that could be the cases when better to adjust them, but you have to quite good to understand what these files do. Otherwise you may crash the model. In any case, DO NOT DELETE them.
3) You may delete in above final query any column you don't need and add new columns if required.
4) Dates are shown in your locale format. If the source data have dates in another locale, you may use option to convert as you tried, that's the only case to use it. In most cases Power Query recognizes dates correctly. Just in case check your OS short date format and Power Query locale you use
peteryac60 , glad to help