Power BI Practice: : Updating Queries to Use Parameters for Dynamic Excel File Paths in Power BI

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 modify the source step of the queries to use DataSourceExcel as the file path. Does this meet the goal?

Answer: Yes, this solution meets the goal. By modifying the source step of the queries to use the DataSourceExcel parameter as the file path, you ensure that the queries reference the parameter instead of multiple hard-coded copies of the location. This approach makes your queries more maintainable and easier to update if the file location changes in the future.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Create the Parameter

1. Open Power Query Editor:

• In Power BI Desktop, go to the "Home" tab and click on "Transform data" to open the Power Query Editor.

2. Create a New Parameter:

• In the Power Query Editor, go to the "Manage Parameters" dropdown and select "New Parameter".

• Name the parameter DataSourceExcel.

• Set the data type to "Text".

• Enter the file path of your Excel data source as the current value (e.g., C:\Data\YourFile.xlsx).

Step 2: Modify the Source Step in Queries

1. Open the Query:

• In the Power Query Editor, select the query you want to modify from the Queries pane.

2. Edit the Source Step:

• Find the "Source" step in the Applied Steps pane.

• Click on the gear icon next to the "Source" step to edit it.

Replace the File Path with the Parameter:

• In the formula bar, replace the hard-coded file path with the DataSourceExcel parameter.

• The formula should look something like this:

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

Step 3: Apply Changes to All Queries

1. Repeat for Other Queries:

• Repeat the above steps for all other queries that reference the Excel file path.

2. Apply and Close:

• Once all queries are updated, click on "Close & Apply" in the Power Query Editor to apply the changes.

Step 4: Test the Changes

1. Refresh Data:

• Refresh your data to ensure that all queries are correctly referencing the DataSourceExcel parameter.

2. Verify Results:

• Check your reports and data models to ensure everything is working as expected.