Observed Signal · Apr 11, 2026 · Technical Guide · Source: DEV Community · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Power BI: Connect, Preview and Transform Any Data
This technical how-to guides data analysts through connecting nine common data sources to Power BI and preparing them with Power Query. It covers connection steps for Excel, CSV, PDF, JSON, SharePoint folders, SQL Server, MySQL, web endpoints, and Azure Analysis Services, and shows how to launch Power Query, preview and profile data (Column Quality, Distribution, Profile), expand hierarchical JSON, authenticate to SharePoint/Azure sources, choose Import vs DirectQuery for databases, and apply transformations before loading to the data model. The article emphasizes profiling data quality, documenting applied transformations, and preserving relationships when combining multiple sources into a single Power BI model.
Practical, instructional guide for Power BI data ingestion and transformation; useful to practitioners but not industry-shifting.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Author demonstrates connecting nine data sources to Power BI: Excel, Text/CSV, PDF, JSON, SharePoint Folder, SQL Server, MySQL, Web, and Azure Analysis Services.
- Power Query Editor is recommended for previewing, profiling (Column Quality/Distribution/Profile), transforming, and monitoring applied steps before loading data.
- Database connections require entering server and database names, choosing Import or DirectQuery, and authenticating credentials.
- JSON hierarchical structures may need manual expansion (expand to new rows or select values and disable prefixing) in Power Query.
- Best practices highlighted: profile data before loading, document transformations for auditability, and carefully select relational tables to preserve relationships and avoid duplicates.
Connected Companies & Entities
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Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
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