What Is Power Query?

Key takeaways

• Power Query is a tool you can use to gather, clean, and import data into Microsoft Excel.

• Using Power Query in Excel, you can automate the data cleaning and transformation process, meaning you don’t have to manually input settings when you upload data.

• To use Power Query in Excel, you’ll need to access the “Get & Transform” feature to import and connect your data.

Microsoft Power Query can help you prepare and analyze data in roles such as project accountant, data analyst, and program specialist. Read on to explore Power Query in more detail, including its benefits for users working with Excel, the difference between Power Query and Power BI, and the different careers you might pursue after becoming familiar with it.

If you’re ready to start building your skills, consider enrolling in Microsoft’s Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate. In as little as five months, you’ll learn to use Power BI to connect data sources and prepare Excel data for analysis. Upon completion, you’ll have earned a shareable career credential for your resume and LinkedIn profile.

What is the difference between Microsoft Power Query and Power BI?

The primary difference between Power Query and Power BI is that Power Query is a tool for cleaning and transforming data, while Power BI is an interface that enables more robust data visualizations than Excel alone can.

You can use Power Query to gather, clean, and import data into Excel. Power Query will also enable you to automate the sorting process without coding, so that you don’t have to spend time or effort manually inputting the same requests every time you upload data. This valuable tool also allows you to gather data from a wide range of sources, such as SQL and Oracle databases, and prepare it for Excel without the need to convert different file types yourself.

On the other hand, Power BI is a business intelligence tool in the Microsoft Power Platform that takes the data you processed in Power Query and turns it into visually engaging graphics and charts. Power BI connects to Excel and Power Query, allowing you to design shareable visuals for dashboards and reports that other team members can interact with.

Is Power Query different from Excel?

Power Query is a tool that integrates with Excel to help transform and prepare data. Known as “Get & Transform” in Excel, Power Query allows you to import or connect data in Excel to change data types, merge tables, and create visualizations like charts and reports.

What is the difference between Power Query and Power Pivot?

Like Power Query, Power Pivot is a data modeling tool that enables you to establish relationships, create complex calculations, and derive insights from data sets. Power Pivot’s design enables it to work with larger data sets more efficiently. These two data processing tools work together seamlessly. Power Query is the best choice for importing your data. Power Pivot takes that data and analyzes it using different complex algorithms and analytical processes to build models of the information.

Benefits of Power Query

The benefits of Power Query include automation and the preservation of data in its original form. First, Power Query’s ability to automate specific, unique import and transformation settings saves you time, since you won’t have to manually enter those settings whenever you want to use them. The time saved often translates to money saved as well, since you’ll be able to take that time otherwise spent on manual inputs and use it more efficiently for other tasks.

Another benefit of Power Query is that it doesn’t write over the files it imports. Instead, the query you establish only reads them for processing, which means the process preserves the data in its original state, allowing you to return to it as many times as needed.

Finally, Power Query’s ability to automate your desired settings makes data import much more accurate than if you were to do it yourself, since humans are prone to error.

Where to learn Power Query

You can find opportunities to learn Power Query in many different places, including self-learning options and formal courses. One avenue for learning is online tutorials, which take you through the steps of using Power Query. Online courses that teach you the basics of using Power Query are another option and often allow you to pace yourself according to your learning preferences. Degrees and certifications are also excellent options for developing your skill set, especially if you want to pursue a career in data analytics or computer technology.

Jobs that use Power Query

Jobs in the data industry that use Power Query vary widely across different fields. For example, in accounting, Power Query can help connect data and automate common data manipulations. Business intelligence analysts across industries may use Power Query to transform data and gain valuable insights to share with key stakeholders. Consider these jobs that use Power Query to find one that aligns with your interests.

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of September 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Project accountant

Median total salary: $84,000 [1]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a financial field; experience using Excel, project management skills, and a strong understanding of billing protocol

As a project accountant, you would oversee various business projects and ensure that they meet the business’s financial goals and budgets. Typically, this position requires your involvement in every project step, including making recommendations, approving expenditures, sending invoices, and tracking incoming payments. In addition to these responsibilities, project accountants are typically responsible for compiling financial reports and preparing all necessary tax documents.

Read more: 12 Key Project Management Skills

Data analyst

Median total salary: $94,000 [2]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in finance, computer science, mathematics, or a similar field; many employers might expect you to complete on-the-job training concerning their specific needs and software; some data analysts also pursue certification

As a data analyst, you typically process, analyze, and report on vast data sets. You might be involved in promoting various business goals and interests, such as maximizing profit, increasing employee retention, and streamlining processes to help meet stated metrics. As a data analyst, you will need the ability to take complex, vast data sets and interpret the information into easily understandable reports that provide insights and actionable recommendations using various analysis tools and software programs.

Program specialist

Median total salary: $67,000 [3]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, often in business management; some employers require a master’s degree or experience within the specific field in which you’ll be overseeing projects

If you choose a career as a program specialist, you could work collaboratively on a team to plan, implement, and manage different programs within a business to ensure that each program successfully meets specific goals and metrics. Typically, program specialists oversee the coordination of multiple projects as they relate to higher-level goals and strategies. In this role, you will likely communicate with other professionals to ensure everyone stays on task, within budget, and on time.

Discover free resources for your learning journey

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• Learn essential terms: Excel Terms and Definitions

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