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Interview Questions Based On The ETL Process Power Query 1748120306

The document provides a comprehensive list of frequently asked interview questions for data analysts focusing on ETL processes using Power Query in Power BI. It covers key concepts such as the stages of ETL, data sources, data transformation techniques, and features like Merge, Append, and Group By. Additionally, it addresses handling missing values, creating custom columns, and improving performance for large datasets.

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priyanshusuman143
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31 views4 pages

Interview Questions Based On The ETL Process Power Query 1748120306

The document provides a comprehensive list of frequently asked interview questions for data analysts focusing on ETL processes using Power Query in Power BI. It covers key concepts such as the stages of ETL, data sources, data transformation techniques, and features like Merge, Append, and Group By. Additionally, it addresses handling missing values, creating custom columns, and improving performance for large datasets.

Uploaded by

priyanshusuman143
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Data Analyst

Most Asked Interview Questions


ETL (Power Query in Power BI)

1. What is Power Query?


Answer: Power Query is a data connection and transformation tool in
Power BI and Excel that helps perform ETL (Extract, Transform, Load)
operations using a graphical interface or M code.

2. What are the three main stages of ETL in Power BI?


Answer:
• Extract: Importing data from various sources.
• Transform: Cleaning and shaping the data using Power Query.
• Load: Loading the transformed data into the Power BI data model.

3. What data sources can Power Query connect to?


Answer: Power Query supports various sources like Excel, CSV, SQL Server,
SharePoint, Web, JSON, XML, Azure services, and more than 100 others.

4. What is the difference between Merge and Append in Power


Query?
Answer:
• Merge: Combines columns from two queries based on a matching
key (like SQL JOIN).
• Append: Stacks rows from two or more queries (like SQL UNION).

5. How do you remove duplicates in Power Query?


Answer: Select the column(s), then click "Remove Duplicates" under the
Home tab. This removes rows with identical values in those columns.
6. What is the purpose of the "Group By" feature in Power Query?
Answer: “Group By” summarizes data by grouping rows based on column
values and applying aggregate functions like sum, count, average, etc.

7. What is the M language in Power Query?


Answer: M is the formula language behind Power Query. It allows you to
write or edit queries manually for advanced transformations that are not
available through the UI.

8. How do you handle missing or null values in Power Query?


Answer: You can use options like Replace Values, Fill Down/Up, or
Remove Rows with Nulls to handle missing values.

9. What is the difference between Power Query and DAX?


Answer: Power Query is used for data transformation and preparation
(before loading), while DAX is used for data analysis and calculations in
the data model (after loading).

10. How do you unpivot columns in Power Query?


Answer: Select the columns you want to unpivot, right-click, and choose
“Unpivot Columns”. This converts columns into attribute-value pairs,
useful for normalized data.

11. What is a custom column in Power Query?


Answer: A custom column is a user-defined column created using
formulas (M code) to perform transformations or calculations on other
columns.

12. How do you filter rows in Power Query?


Answer: You can use the filter options in the column header dropdowns,
similar to Excel, to filter values based on conditions or ranges.
13. How do you create conditional logic in Power Query?
Answer: Use the "Add Column" > "Conditional Column" feature or write
an M expression using if ... then ... else.

14. What is the use of parameters in Power Query?


Answer: Parameters allow you to create dynamic queries, such as
switching data sources, filtering values, or defining date ranges, without
editing the query manually.

15. How do you handle column name changes in Power Query?


Answer: To avoid errors, use the "Rename Columns" step carefully or write
dynamic logic using Table.ColumnNames() if columns may change.

16. What happens when you refresh a Power Query?


Answer: Power Query re-runs the entire ETL process: it extracts the latest
data, re-applies transformations, and loads the updated result to the
model or worksheet.

17. What is data profiling in Power Query?


Answer: Data profiling tools show summary stats like column distribution,
unique values, null values, and errors to understand data quality.

18. How do you improve performance in Power Query for large


datasets?
Answer:
• Reduce steps in queries
• Use filtering early
• Disable "Enable Load" for intermediate queries
• Avoid unnecessary data types and calculations
19. What are query dependencies in Power Query?
Answer: Query dependencies show how queries are related to each other,
especially when one query references another. You can view them using
the Query Dependencies view.

20. How do you merge queries with multiple matching columns?


Answer: In the Merge dialog, select multiple columns in both tables (in
the same order). Power Query matches rows based on all selected
columns.

(Dipankar pal)
(www.linkedin.com/in/dipankar-data-analyst)

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