Excel: Part 1 - Power Query Foundation: Automate Data Preparation in Excel
Category: Technology | Date: 30/09/2026 14:00 | Duration: 100 mins | Tag: WEBEC26ADD13 | Type: Webinar | Speaker: Alan Murray | Channel: ProfitPro
This course is part of an Excel 2 Part Power Query Series: Building Smarter, Automated Reporting Processes
Course Details
Power Query has transformed the way accountants prepare and manage data in Excel. Instead of manually copying, cleaning and reformatting reports each month, Power Query allows these repetitive tasks to be automated with a refreshable process.
This practical foundation session introduces the essential concepts needed to start using Power Query with confidence. Delegates will learn how to import data, clean and transform it, and create repeatable processes that reduce manual work, improve consistency and minimise the risk of errors.
In this session Alan Murray will cover the following topics:
- Understanding what Power Query is and when it should be used instead of formulas.
- Importing data from Excel workbooks and other common business data sources.
- Cleaning and transforming data using practical tools such as removing duplicates, splitting columns, changing data types, consolidating tables and much more.
- Reshaping data to create analysis-ready tables for formulas and PivotTables.
- Refreshing queries and understanding how Power Query automates recurring reporting tasks.
By attending this session, you will...
- Understand the role of Power Query in modern Excel.
- Be able to import and transform data without complex formulas.
- Learn techniques that automate repetitive data preparation tasks.
- Build refreshable queries that save time every reporting period.
- Gain confidence to begin using Power Query in your own work.
This session will be of most interest to accountants, finance professionals, analysts and Excel users who regularly prepare reports or work with imported data. No previous Power Query experience is required.
Course level: Foundation
CPD Course Speaker
Computergaga
Alan Murray
Alan Murray is an experienced Excel trainer and Microsoft MVP. With over 23 years of experience as an Excel trainer, he helps users build confidence and expertise in Excel and Power BI - empowering them to solve problems, automate tasks, and work more efficiently.
Alan is the author of the ‘Advanced Excel Formulas’ and ‘Advanced Excel Success’ books and has a YouTube channel – named Computergaga – with 118,000+ subscribers and over 50 million views.
He organises the London Excel Meetup group to provide a community event for professionals to network, share, and develop their Excel skills.
Alan loves showing people what’s possible with the tools they already have. His training approach is relaxed, practical, and always focused on the needs of the people in the room. Everyone should feel confident using Excel and empowered to ask any question - no matter how simple or advanced.
Alan is the author of the ‘Advanced Excel Formulas’ and ‘Advanced Excel Success’ books and has a YouTube channel – named Computergaga – with 118,000+ subscribers and over 50 million views.
He organises the London Excel Meetup group to provide a community event for professionals to network, share, and develop their Excel skills.
Alan loves showing people what’s possible with the tools they already have. His training approach is relaxed, practical, and always focused on the needs of the people in the room. Everyone should feel confident using Excel and empowered to ask any question - no matter how simple or advanced.