Season 1

Namaste Power BI

Episode 5

Power Query Basics

⏱ 45:00

Episode Summary

Transform raw data into analysis-ready tables using Power Query Editor. Filtering, renaming, type changes, and the M language that runs behind every click.

This is Episode 5 of the free Namaste Power BI course on DevWithData — covering power query basics. Watch the video above, then pass the MCQ checkpoint to unlock the next episode and update your Data Readiness Index score.

Key Takeaways

→Every GUI click generates an M language step in Applied Steps
→Data types MUST be set correctly before loading to the model
→Promote Headers, Remove Nulls, and Changed Type are your daily bread
→Close & Apply commits changes; Close & Discard abandons them

⚠ Common Interview Pitfalls

•Leaving error rows unhandled in the pipeline
•Changing data types after creating downstream steps (breaks the chain)
•Not understanding that Power Query runs at REFRESH time, not query time

Official Reference

Deepen your understanding with official Microsoft documentation.

PL-300 Official Training Course

Microsoft's official instructor-led training for the Power BI Data Analyst certification.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/courses/pl-300t00

Power BI Documentation

Complete reference for Power BI Desktop, Power BI Service, and Power BI Embedded.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/

Content on DevWithData is original and inspired by official Microsoft resources. The links above point directly to Microsoft Learn — always the authoritative source.

← Ep 4: Import vs DirectQuery

Ep 6: Advanced Power Query →

Episode Checkpoint

Sign in to attempt the quiz and unlock the next episode.