Unlock Your Data's Full Potential: The Key Factor You Might Be Overlooking

Hey Data Explorers,

Have you ever wondered why some data projects seem to run more smoothly than others? Or why certain queries deliver insights effortlessly, while others stumble along? The secret often lies not in the complexity of the code, but in a fundamental aspect we tend to overlook: the correct use of data types in Power Query. Let's dive in!

1. 🛑 Limiting Date Specific Capabilities:

Say you have a column that should be dates, but it's not set as a “Date” data type. You'll miss out on handy functions like extracting the month or calculating the difference between dates or even calculating the aging of your dates! Check out this video here where I show you how to create an easy age analysis report that includes using the date features.

2. 🚫 Limiting Type Specific Filters:

Imagine you have a column that should be numerical, but it's still set as text. You won't be able to use numerical filters like greater than, less than, or between. Correctly setting your data type to “Number” allows you to use these filters, as seen below 👇:

You can also take advantage of the type-specific filters, such as those for a date or datetime column. These filters enable you to create dynamic filter conditions based on past time periods: the previous x number of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, quarters, or years. Correctly setting your data type to “Date” unlocks these “Date Filters” as seen below 👇:

3.📊 Impact on Your Excel Analysis:

Failing to accurately set the data type for your exported data can lead to formatting issues, making it challenging to conduct further analysis. For example, if you don't format your date column as a “Date” data type before exporting to Excel, your dates will appear as numbers in the spreadsheet, causing data misinterpretation as seen below 👇:

📥Your Turn: Share Your Thoughts & Topic Wishes

Using the correct data types in your columns is essential for unlocking the full functionality of Power Query. It ensures that you have access to all the relevant features and filters, making your data analysis both efficient and accurate.

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🏆 Comment of the Day

Please click here if you would like to check out the video that lungisajoctrey is referring to. 

That's all for today's insights! Keep these tips in mind to elevate your Power Query skills to the next level. Happy Data Transforming!

Thanks for reading. and see you in the next edition of "The Query Editor"!

Miss Microsoft