Retrieve, Transform, and Combine Data Using Power Query from Pluralsight

This course targets the Business Intelligence (BI) Self Service professional who needs to obtain and shape data from multiple and various sources so that the data can provide useful BI to report viewers. The focus of this course is Power Query.

Information today exists in multiple locations, from a simple text file, to social networks such as Facebook. Retrieving and then combining related information from such disparate data sources in order to provide meaningful insights into the information has historically been a difficult, if not impossible task. In this course, Retrieve, Transform, and Combine Data Using Power Query, you'll see how Power Query provides the cornerstone to Microsoft's PowerBI solution which aims to solve just this problem. First, you'll learn how learn how to retrieve data from various sources, as well as how how to cleanse and shape the data so that you have the data in the format you desire. This is also known as mashing up the data. Next, you'll learn how to combine data from different sources. At this stage, you're able to provide new insights into your data. Finally, you'll learn how to share the queries you've created. By the end this course, you'll know how to use Power Query to access disparate data sources, cleanse and transform the data, and prepare it so that it can be used in super powerful ways to provide new insights into your world of data.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Introduction & Concepts

Data Retrieval

Worksheet vs. Excel Data Model

Data Cleansing

Combining Queries

Sharing and Reusing Queries

Summary

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Targets BI Self Service professionals who need to transform data from various sources for reporting purposes

Taught by industry recognized experts Ben Howard, ensuring high-quality content and practical relevance

Focuses on Power Query, a core tool for Microsoft's PowerBI solution, making it industry relevant and in-demand

Provides hands-on learning through data retrieval, cleansing, and transformation tasks, ensuring practical application of skills

Empowers learners to access disparate data sources, a critical skill for data analysis and insights generation

Prepares learners for advanced data analysis and reporting roles by building a strong foundation in data preparation and transformation

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Retrieve, Transform, and Combine Data Using Power Query with these activities:

Organize course materials

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This activity will help learners stay organized and improve their retention by creating a central repository for course-related materials.

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Create folders and subfolders for notes, assignments, and other resources.
File materials in the appropriate folders.

Review relational database concepts

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This activity will help refresh basic concepts in relational database systems, making it easier to understand more advanced topics covered in the course.

Browse courses on Relational Databases

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Read a book on relational database concepts.
Complete online tutorials on SQL.
Review notes from a previous database course.

Follow Power Query tutorials

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This activity will introduce hands-on experience with Power Query, allowing for a deeper understanding of its capabilities in data retrieval and transformation.

Browse courses on Power Query

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Follow online tutorials from Microsoft or Pluralsight.
Complete the exercises provided in the tutorials.

Four other activities

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Join a Power Query study group

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This activity will provide an opportunity for learners to collaborate with peers, share knowledge, and work through challenges together, enhancing comprehension.

Browse courses on Power Query

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Find a study group or create your own.
Discuss concepts, challenges, and solutions.

Practice data transformation exercises

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This activity will provide repetitive practice in transforming data, improving proficiency in using Power Query's features and techniques.

Browse courses on Power Query

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Find online exercises or create your own.
Complete the exercises to practice data transformation.

Build a data aggregation dashboard

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This activity will provide practical experience in using Power Query to aggregate data and create meaningful visualizations, reinforcing the concepts learned in the course.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Identify a data source and retrieve data using Power Query.
Transform and aggregate the data using Power Query.
Create visualizations using a tool like Power BI.
Share the dashboard with others.

Contribute to open-source Power Query projects

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This activity will provide hands-on experience in using Power Query within real-world projects, promoting collaboration and contribution to the wider community.

Browse courses on Power Query

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Find open-source Power Query projects on GitHub or other platforms.
Contribute to these projects by fixing bugs or adding new features.
Engage with the project maintainers and other contributors.

Career center

Learners who complete Retrieve, Transform, and Combine Data Using Power Query will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Statistician

A Statistician collects, analyzes, and interprets data. They may use tools like Power Query to retrieve data from different sources, cleanse and transform the data, and create reports and visualizations that present data in an easy-to-understand way. This course can help you build a foundation in data retrieval, cleansing, and shaping with Power Query, which can be helpful for those aspiring to become Statisticians.

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Data Scientist

A Data Scientist uses data to build models that can predict future outcomes. They may use tools like Power Query to retrieve data from different sources, cleanse and transform the data, and prepare it for analysis. This course can help you build a foundation in data retrieval, cleansing, and shaping with Power Query, which can be helpful for those aspiring to become Data Scientists.

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Data Engineer

A Data Engineer designs, builds, and maintains data pipelines. They may use tools like Power Query to retrieve data from different sources, cleanse and transform the data, and prepare it for analysis. This course can help you build a foundation in data retrieval, cleansing, and shaping with Power Query, which can be helpful for those aspiring to become Data Engineers.

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Quantitative Analyst

A Quantitative Analyst uses data to make investment decisions. They may use tools like Power Query to retrieve data from different sources, cleanse and transform the data, and create reports and visualizations that present data in an easy-to-understand way. This course can help you build a foundation in data retrieval, cleansing, and shaping with Power Query, which can be helpful for those aspiring to become Quantitative Analysts.

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Data Analyst

A Data Analyst uses data to solve business problems. They may use tools like Power Query to retrieve data from different sources, cleanse and transform the data, and prepare it for analysis. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Data Analyst, including how to use Power Query to automate data retrieval and cleansing, and to create reports and visualizations that present data in an easy-to-understand way.

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Operations Research Analyst

An Operations Research Analyst uses data to improve the efficiency of operations. They may use tools like Power Query to retrieve data from different sources, cleanse and transform the data, and create reports and visualizations that present data in an easy-to-understand way. This course can help you build a foundation in data retrieval, cleansing, and shaping with Power Query, which can be helpful for those aspiring to become Operations Research Analysts.

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Business Intelligence Analyst

A Business Intelligence Analyst retrieves, cleans, and analyzes data to find insights that can help businesses make better decisions. They may use tools like Power Query to automate data retrieval and cleansing, and to create reports and visualizations that present data in an easy-to-understand way. This course can help you build a foundation in data retrieval, cleansing, and shaping with Power Query, which can be helpful for those aspiring to become Business Intelligence Analysts.

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Market Researcher

A Market Researcher conducts research to understand consumer behavior. They may use tools like Power Query to retrieve data from different sources, cleanse and transform the data, and create reports and visualizations that present data in an easy-to-understand way. This course can help you build a foundation in data retrieval, cleansing, and shaping with Power Query, which can be helpful for those aspiring to become Market Researchers.

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Database Administrator

A Database Administrator manages and maintains databases. They may use tools like Power Query to retrieve data from databases, cleanse and transform the data, and create reports and visualizations that present data in an easy-to-understand way. This course can help you build a foundation in data retrieval, cleansing, and shaping with Power Query, which can be helpful for those aspiring to become Database Administrators.

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Risk Analyst

A Risk Analyst assesses and manages risks. They may use tools like Power Query to retrieve data from different sources, cleanse and transform the data, and create reports and visualizations that present data in an easy-to-understand way. This course can help you build a foundation in data retrieval, cleansing, and shaping with Power Query, which can be helpful for those aspiring to become Risk Analysts.

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Knowledge Manager

A Knowledge Manager manages and shares knowledge within an organization. They may use tools like Power Query to retrieve data from different sources, cleanse and transform the data, and create reports and visualizations that present data in an easy-to-understand way. This course can help you build a foundation in data retrieval, cleansing, and shaping with Power Query, which can be helpful for those aspiring to become Knowledge Managers.

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Product Manager

A Product Manager plans and manages the development of products. They may use tools like Power Query to retrieve data from different sources, cleanse and transform the data, and create reports and visualizations that present data in an easy-to-understand way. This course can help you build a foundation in data retrieval, cleansing, and shaping with Power Query, which can be helpful for those aspiring to become Product Managers.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager plans and manages projects. They may use tools like Power Query to retrieve data from different sources, cleanse and transform the data, and create reports and visualizations that present data in an easy-to-understand way. This course can help you build a foundation in data retrieval, cleansing, and shaping with Power Query, which can be helpful for those aspiring to become Project Managers.

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Information Architect

An Information Architect designs and organizes information systems. They may use tools like Power Query to retrieve data from different sources, cleanse and transform the data, and prepare it for analysis. This course can help you build a foundation in data retrieval, cleansing, and shaping with Power Query, which can be helpful for those aspiring to become Information Architects.

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Software Developer

A Software Developer designs, develops, and maintains software applications. They may use tools like Power Query to retrieve data from different sources, cleanse and transform the data, and create reports and visualizations that present data in an easy-to-understand way. This course can help you build a foundation in data retrieval, cleansing, and shaping with Power Query, which can be helpful for those aspiring to become Software Developers.

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