The Definitive Guide to Power Query (M): Mastering complex data transformation with Power Query

Learn how to use the Power Query M formula language and its functions effectively for better data modeling and impactful business intelligence reports.

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Key Features

• Get comprehensive coverage of fundamental and advanced Power Query concepts
• Gain hands-on experience with practical examples based on real-world problems
• Delve into the intricacies of Power Query M language for enhanced data manipulation

Book Description

Data transformation is a critical step in building data models and business intelligence reports. Power Query is an invaluable tool for anyone who wants to master data transformation, and this book will equip you with the knowledge and skills to make the most of it.

The Definitive Guide to Power Query (M) will help you build a solid foundation in the Power Query M language. As you progress through the chapters, you'll learn how to use that knowledge to implement advanced concepts and data transformations. This will set the stage for an uncompromisingly thorough exploration of the Power Query M Language.

You'll also get to grips with optimizing performance, handling errors, and implementing efficient data processing techniques. As this is a hands-on guide, the practical examples in the chapters will help you gain the skills to apply Power Query to real-world problems and improve your data analysis capabilities.

By the end of this book, you will be able to leverage all of Power Query's remarkable capabilities for data transformation.

What you will learn

• Gain a strong understanding of Power Query fundamentals
• Master various functions within Power Query to perform complex data operations
• Acquire knowledge about values, types, and control structures in Power Query
• Develop proficiency in error handling techniques
• Learn performance optimization strategies for Power Query
• Apply what you've learned to real-world scenarios, including common troublesome patterns

Who this book is for

This book is for business analysts, business intelligence professionals, and power business users working with data who want to add Power Query mastery to their resume. This book will be beneficial for anyone who wants to automate their process of data cleaning and save huge amount of time. Having some basic experience in Power Query is recommended.

Table of Contents

1. Introducing M
2. Working with Power Query/M
3. Accessing and Combining Data
4. Understanding Values and Expressions
5. Understanding Data Types
6. Structured Values
7. Conceptualizing M
8. Working with Nested Structures
9. Parameters and Custom Functions
10. Dealing with Dates, Times, and Durations
11. Comparers, Replacers, Combiners, and Splitters
12. Handling Errors and Debugging
13. Iteration and Recursion
14. Troublesome Data Patterns
15. Optimizing Performance
16. Enabling Extensions

Greg Deckler is a 7-time Microsoft MVP for Data Platform and an active blogger and Power BI community member, having written over 6,000 solutions to community questions. Greg has authored many books on Power BI, including Learn Power BI 1st and 2nd Editions, DAX Cookbook, Power BI Cookbook 2nd Edition and Mastering Power BI 2nd Edition. Greg has also created several external tools for Power BI and regularly posts video content to his YouTube channels, Microsoft Hates Greg and DAX For Humans.

Rick de Groot was born in the Netherlands and has been working in BI for more than 14 years. He went freelance in 2016 and now works as an independent Power BI consultant. On his mission to make Power BI more accessible, he started two blogs: BI Gorilla and PowerQuery. how, and a YouTube channel sharing Power Query and Power BI content. His commitment to offering free content through multiple platforms has led him to earning the Microsoft Data Platform MVP award for two consecutive years.

Melissa de Korte's approach to facing challenges is fueled by relentless curiosity. She is a dedicated community member and content creator. Her portfolio includes blogs, tutorials, courses, and webinars, that make Power Query M more accessible and useful for all. Behind her professional persona lies a genuine dedication to empowering others through education and knowledge sharing, and a desire to encourage professionals to embrace the potential of Power Query, M.