Folder
Power Query M language is a powerful tool that enables users to connect, transform, and clean their data within Power BI. One of the most useful features of Power Query M is its ability to connect to various data sources, including Folder data sources. In this article, we will explore the code required to connect to a Folder data source from inside Power BI using Power Query M language.
Step 1: Open Power BI Desktop
The first step is to open Power BI Desktop and navigate to the Home tab. From there, select the “Get Data” option in the External Data group. This will open a dropdown menu with various data source options.
Step 2: Select Folder Data Source
From the dropdown menu, select the “Folder” option. This will open a new window where you can enter the file path for the Folder you want to connect to. You can also choose to connect to a sample file or combine multiple files from the Folder.
Step 3: Edit the Query
Once you have selected your Folder data source, Power Query will automatically generate a query with some basic code. However, you may need to edit this code to customize your query and ensure it meets your specific requirements.
For example, you might want to filter out certain files or apply specific transformations to the data. To edit the query, select the “Edit” option in the Navigator window. This will open the Power Query Editor, where you can view and modify the code for your query.
Step 4: Customize the Query Code
The code for your query will appear in the formula bar at the top of the Power Query Editor window. This code will include a series of steps that Power Query uses to connect to your Folder data source and prepare the data for use in your Power BI report.
To customize the code, you can add or remove steps as needed, or modify the syntax to adjust the behavior of the query. For example, you might want to add a step to group or summarize the data, or to join multiple data sources together.
Step 5: Save and Refresh the Query
Once you have customized the code for your query, you can save your changes and refresh the data to ensure that your query is working as expected. To do this, simply select the “Close & Apply” button in the Power Query Editor window. This will apply your changes and return you to the Power BI report view.
From there, you can refresh the data by selecting the “Refresh” option in the “Data” tab of the ribbon menu. This will update your report with the latest data from your Folder data source.
Conclusion
Power Query M language is a powerful tool for connecting to and transforming data from a wide range of sources, including Folder data sources. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily connect to a Folder data source from inside Power BI and customize your query to meet your specific needs. With Power Query M, you can streamline your data preparation process and get more value out of your data in Power BI.
