Power Query
Power Query is a data transformation and preparation tool developed by Microsoft, primarily used within Excel and Power BI. It provides a user-friendly interface for connecting to various data sources, cleaning, shaping, and combining data through a series of steps recorded in a query. The tool uses the M language for its underlying scripting and enables automation of data workflows without extensive programming knowledge.
Developers should learn Power Query when working with data analysis, business intelligence, or reporting tasks that involve frequent data cleaning and transformation from multiple sources. It is particularly useful in scenarios requiring data integration from databases, APIs, CSV files, or web pages into Excel or Power BI dashboards, as it reduces manual effort and ensures reproducibility. Knowledge of Power Query is valuable for roles in data analytics, finance, and operations where efficient data preparation is critical.