Can you explain a few ways of how a Power Query can transform the data in Power BI ?Power BI interview questions and answers 395

Can you explain a few ways of how a Power Query can transform the data in Power BI ? 

Here are several ways Power Query can transform data in Power BI, making it ready for analysis and visualization:

1. Data Shaping:

• Remove or Add Columns: Select or deselect columns to include in your model.

• Filter Rows: Keep only relevant data based on specific criteria.

• Sort Data: Arrange rows in a desired order.

• Rename Columns: Assign meaningful names for clarity.

• Change Data Types: Ensure accurate interpretation of data (e.g., text, numbers, dates).

2. Data Cleaning:

• Handle Missing Values: Fill gaps with default values or remove rows with missing data.

• Correct Errors: Fix inconsistencies or inaccuracies in values.

• Remove Duplicates: Eliminate redundant rows.

• Standardize Formatting: Ensure consistency in data presentation.

3. Data Aggregation:

• Group Data: Combine rows based on shared values for summary calculations.

• Calculate Totals: Sum, average, count, or apply other aggregations to grouped data.

4. Data Transformation:

• Split Columns: Divide a column into multiple columns based on delimiters or patterns.

• Combine Columns: Merge multiple columns into a single column.

• Extract Text: Extract specific portions of text from columns.

• Apply Conditional Logic: Create new columns or modify existing ones based on conditions.

5. Data Enhancement:

• Add Calculated Columns: Create new columns with formulas to derive insights or manipulate data.

• Merge Tables: Combine data from multiple sources into a single table.

• Append Queries: Add more rows to an existing table from another source.

• Apply Custom Functions: Use M language for advanced data transformations.

6. Data Connection Management:

• Manage Data Sources: Connect to various data sources (databases, Excel files, web services, etc.).

• Set Refresh Schedules: Automate data updates to ensure freshness.

• Optimize Performance: Adjust query settings for efficient data retrieval.

Remember: Power Query's transformations are applied before loading data into the Power BI model, ensuring you work with clean, structured, and analysis-ready data.