Power BI Practice: Updating Power Query to Use Parameters for Dynamic Data Source Referencing

Scenario:

You create a parameter named DataSourceExcel that holds the file name and location of a Microsoft Excel data source. You need to update the query to reference the parameter instead of multiple hard-coded copies of the location within each query definition.

Solution: You add a Power Apps custom visual to the report. Does this meet the goal?

Answer: No, adding a Power Apps custom visual to the report does not address the requirement of updating the query to reference the parameter. Instead, you should modify the query to use the DataSourceExcel parameter directly. This can be done in Power Query by replacing the hard-coded file path with the parameter.

Here's how you can update your query to reference the DataSourceExcel parameter in Power Query:

1. Create the Parameter:

• Go to the Home tab in Power Query Editor.

• Select Manage Parameters > New Parameter.

• Name the parameter DataSourceExcel, set the type to Text, and enter the file path as the current value.

2. Update the Query:

• Open the query that currently has the hard-coded file path.

• Find the part of the query where the file path is specified. It might look something like this:

Source = Excel.Workbook(File.Contents("C:\Path\To\Your\File.xlsx"), null, true)

• Replace the hard-coded path with the parameter reference:

Source = Excel.Workbook(File.Contents(DataSourceExcel), null, true)

3. Apply Changes:

• Click Close & Load to apply the changes.

Now, your query will dynamically use the file path specified in the DataSourceExcel parameter. This makes it easier to update the file path in one place without having to modify multiple queries.

Sample Data Table (Excel)

You can save this table as an Excel file and use it to practice the steps for updating the query to reference the DataSourceExcel parameter.