Power Query for Beginners: Transform Excel Data in Minutes (2025 Tutorial Part I)

GET THE EXCEL FILES TO MASTER POWER QUERY
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In this video, you will learn to use Power Query to transform hours of Excel work into minutes.

With this simple yet powerful tool, you’ll be able to automate data management, clean up your datasets effortlessly, and create reports that practically build themselves.

What You’ll Learn:

-Import data from ANY source in a few simple steps
-Clean, transform, and format your data like a pro—no formulas needed
-Create dynamic pivot tables that update automatically every time your data refreshes
-Streamline your reports so you’re never stuck manually updating again
-Boost your productivity and save hours of work every week

💡 Power Query Features You’ll Love:

-Clean up messy data without breaking a sweat
-Automate monthly reports that refresh with a single click
-Build smarter dashboards that analyze your data in real-time
-Drill down into transaction-level details with ease
-Say goodbye to repetitive manual updates for good

⚡️ Advanced Tips:

-How to automate your data mapping with Power Query magic
-Secrets to creating more intuitive, professional dashboards
-How to make your data work FOR you—smart ways to filter and visualize your insights
-Transform raw data into a masterpiece that tells the full story
-Perfect for: Data analysts, business owners, Excel enthusiasts, and anyone -looking to save time and work smarter, not harder.

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Power Query Automation
00:35 - Workflow Comparison (Part 1): Manual Excel Process
03:20 - Power Query Fundamentals: Extract, Transform, Load (ETL)
04:23 - Understanding Data Types: Structured vs Unstructured Data
05:45 - The Benefits of Using Tables
06:37 - Workflow Comparison (Part 2): Same Process with Power Query
07:39 - Basic Transformations
08:45 - Loading & Connecting Data Sources
13:03 - Advanced Feature: Merging Multiple Data Sources
15:55 - Data Modeling Best Practices
18:20 - Bulk Data Import: Working with Folders
21:50 - Data Restructuring: Unpivot Feature Tutorial
23:30 - Custom Columns: Creating Calculated Fields
27:30 - Recap
27:55 - Outro

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[jenniferwilford]

This is a fantastic beginners tutorial. I don't understand people complaining because it's too fast. Everybody has a pause button. I loved the quick pace because I like to watch the whole thing first and then go back and watch it again (and utlize my pause button as needed) to actually do it.

[camillagazineu]

I'm so happy with this tutorial. I didn't mind the pace (I'm a beginner to power query but overall good with excel and including basic VBA and Office Access); I wanted to understand overall process and functionality and this made the trick. For me it was very straight to the point and useful. Only thing that trough me out was the fast zoom in and zoom out, but no big. Now I'm going to check your other videos. I felt that I need to step up my game and this is giving me a start.

[benhaze]

Sper well done. Lots of good information that can be re-reviewed at a later date as you get familiar with Power Query.

[peposlawa]

Amazing video. I learned a lot, didn't even know that Power Query existed before :-)

[jodileathatsme]

After watching this video, I have no doubt that Josh is amazing at this. Very knowledgeable and fast. But could I repeat these steps myself after watching the video? Even multiple times? No. And the title is completely misleading - this is not a video for beginners. That being said, I did pick up a lot of interesting things and will seek out how to use Power Query from other trainers on YouTube and LinkedIn Learning. I appreciate knowing what is possible and am excited to learn!

[samuelmyles]

Thank you soo much! This is exactly what I need for a project at work.

[stevegoddard]

I really coud have done with this 30 odd years ago. Thank you! I'm sharing like mad!

[asjackman]

Agreed with the other comments that the pace is fast, especially when it's the first time using PQ

[benhaze]

Thank you for showing how to use a combination to make a unique record in power query!

[ianodonoghue]

Fantastic video, I learned so much.

Thanks for posting

[muttut]

That's great and interesting transformation, besides kudos

[SkufMcGruff]

Man I wish I could find videos like this that are not based on currency stuff, lmao. I need to learn this for account data analysis, but there's so much to ignore, lol.

[nawe]

This is great!! Will it still work if I replace the file in the folder as I will not need the old data in the file when I create a report. The report contains always the latest when I generate it.

[DeepakMaurya-cwof]

When I get data from folder as you said, but when I add another data of August month, but I don't get the USD value of this month Pls help me

[pazmanyovci]

Very good tutorial, but a little quick for me ....

[tf]

I understand mostly but i am having issue in exchange rate file as I am adding 01/01/25 to 30/01/2025 rate but excel showing me this msg "it's all ready linked with other connection" So how can i update exchange rate in this existing file?

[chanskichanski]

does power bi can do all of this already?

[Pookieland]

I am having problems with high consumables in net sales any tip on how to solve this issue please?

[tysonchao]

When do we parse a date? why cant we just change data type to date?

[ahmedibrahimsoum]

your tuto is good but are too quick in your explanation you need to slow down to your followers understand very well