Automate Boring Excel Tasks with Power Query
43mBeginner2026-04-17
Authors
Mynda Treacy
Course details
This course covers Power Query fundamentals for Excel users who work with data from multiple sources or perform repetitive data‑cleaning tasks. You’ll learn when to use Power Query instead of manual Excel techniques and how to build automated queries that import, clean, combine, and refresh data from files, databases, and the web. The course also introduces Copilot with Power Query, demonstrating how AI can assist with query creation and data‑import workflows.
Learning objectives
Determine when to use Power Query instead of manual Excel techniques or formulas, and identify scenarios where automated data‑transformation workflows deliver the most value.
Import and transform data from multiple sources including Excel files, CSVs, and databases using filtering, sorting, column splitting, and conditional columns.
Build reusable data‑cleaning queries that automatically apply the same transformations when data is refreshed.
Apply Power Query skills in a hands‑on challenge using a common business dataset.
Use Copilot in Excel to support Power Query tasks, including generating queries from natural‑language prompts and importing data from cloud sources.
Learning objectives
Determine when to use Power Query instead of manual Excel techniques or formulas, and identify scenarios where automated data‑transformation workflows deliver the most value.
Import and transform data from multiple sources including Excel files, CSVs, and databases using filtering, sorting, column splitting, and conditional columns.
Build reusable data‑cleaning queries that automatically apply the same transformations when data is refreshed.
Apply Power Query skills in a hands‑on challenge using a common business dataset.
Use Copilot in Excel to support Power Query tasks, including generating queries from natural‑language prompts and importing data from cloud sources.
Skills covered
IT AutomationDevOps FoundationsSpreadsheetsMicrosoft ExcelDevOpsData AnalysisNetwork and System AdministrationData ScienceBusiness Analysis and StrategyBusiness Software and ToolsMicrosoftOne-Off
Concepts
Introduction
- Power Query course introduction
What is Power Query and Where to Find It
- What Power Query is and when to use it
- Accessing Power Query - Excel, Mac, and Power BI
Getting Data with Power Query
- Getting data from CSV text
- Getting data from another Excel workbook
- Getting data from a table
- Navigating the Power Query editor
Cleaning and Transforming Data with Power Query
- Power Query core cleaning patterns
- Rearranging data in Power Query
- Creating columns with conditional logic
- Creating columns from examples
- Refreshing, breaking, and trusting queries
- Gather and clean multiple files from a folder
- Challenge - Data cleaning with Power Query
- Solution - Data cleaning with Power Query
- Using Copilot to plan Power Query transformations
Conclusion
- Power Query - Next steps