Power Query Intro And Basics Operations

Last Updated : 17th September 2025

Power Query is a built-in tool for data cleaning and transformation before loading into the report.

Uses to Fix messy data like blanks, wrong types, and formatting before building visuals.

Open Power Query Editor

Home ➝ Transform Data to open Power Query Editor.

There is no direct shortcut available.

Power Query Interface

A Screen Shot of Power Query Interface is Attached. Which is described Below.

Power QueryInterface

  1. Queires: It Contain All The import Data.
  2. Dax Queries: It is use to write DAX queries ,Just like Excel Formulas .
  3. Query Settings: It is include Properties and Applied Steps. The Properties is use to Change The Data, Data Types etc while Applied Steps hold all the Steps for Data Cleaning.

Rename Columns for Clarity

Right-click the column ➝ Rename

Shortcut: Press F2 to quickly rename a selected column

Use: Give meaningful names like "CustomerName" instead of "Column1".

Choose Columns (Manage Columns)

Choose Columns" options in Home tab (Manage Columns). It include two submenus.

  1. Choose Columns: It is use to choose the columns.
  2. Go to Columns: It is jump on to the Columns.

Here is a screenshot of the "Choose Columns" options.

Choose Columns

Remove Unwanted Columns (Manage Columns)

Select column ➝ Right-click ➝ Remove

Remove Columns options in Home tab (Manage Columns). It include two submenus

  1. Remove Columns: It is use to remove the columns.
  2. Remove Other Columns: Remove Other Columns except the selected columns.

Here is a screenshot of the "Remove Columns" options.

Remove Columns

Split Columns (by Delimiter or Position)

Select column ➝ Home ➝ Split Column ➝ Choose "By Delimiter" or "By Number of Characters"

Use to Break combined values like "Name-City" into two separate fields.

Merge Queries (Join Tables)

Select column ➝ Home ➝ Merge Queries ➝ Select tables and matching columns ➝ Choose Join type

Use to Combine related data like Customers with Orders or Regions.

Track Applied Steps

Every action adds a step in the "Applied Steps" pane (right side).You can rename, delete, or move steps to fix mistakes. Power BI saves your entire cleaning workflow here.

Close & Apply

After cleaning data ➝ Click “Close & Apply” from the Home tab.

Click on the "Close & Apply" button to close the editor and apply the changes to the report.

Shortcut: Ctrl + Enter

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