# The Definitive Guide to Power Query \(M\)

The Definitive Guide to Power Query \(M\) is a 758-page Packt Publishing guide to the M formula language and data transformation. It covers fundamentals through advanced topics, with chapters on data types, functions, error handling, debugging, and performance optimization. The listing recommends some prior Power Query experience, so it is better suited to readers seeking depth than to a first introduction.

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- Market: US
- Language: en-US
- Currency: USD
- Category: Books, Music & Hobbies > Books, Music & Movies > Books & Comics
- Price: 32.71 USD
- Previous price: 54.99 USD
- Discount: 41%
- Price checked: 2026-11-14T05:50:04.526Z
- Rating: 4.5 / 5
- Reviews: 155

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## At a glance

- Covers M language fundamentals, values, expressions, types, structured values, and control structures.
- Topics include accessing and combining data, nested structures, parameters, custom functions, and date and time handling.
- Includes chapters on errors and debugging, iteration and recursion, difficult data patterns, and performance optimization.
- Listing describes practical examples addressing real-world problems and recommends basic Power Query experience.

## Pros

- Wide subject coverage connects everyday data transformation with more advanced M concepts.
- Dedicated error-handling and performance chapters may help readers working with complex or recurring data-cleaning tasks.
- At 758 pages, the book offers substantial reference material rather than a short overview.

## Cons

- The listing recommends prior Power Query experience, which may make the book a challenging starting point for complete beginners.
- Its extensive coverage and 758-page length may be more than readers need for occasional, basic transformations.

## Specifications

### Publication details
- Publisher: Packt Publishing
- Publication date: March 29, 2024
- Language: English
- Print length: 758 pages
- ISBN-10: 1835089720
- ISBN-13: 978-1835089729
### Dimensions and installation
- Weight listed: 2.83 pounds
- Dimensions: 7.5 x 1.72 x 9.25 inches

## A good fit for

- Business analysts and business intelligence professionals who already use Power Query and want to deepen their M skills.
- Power users who need a book-length reference for data cleaning, complex transformations, debugging, or performance topics.
- Readers who prefer practical examples alongside language concepts.

## Less suited to

- Readers seeking a beginner-only introduction with no prior Power Query experience.
- Buyers looking for a short guide focused only on basic spreadsheet operations.

## Customer feedback

Aggregate customer ratings skew positive, with most ratings in the five-star category, but a smaller share of ratings are lower. Without written feedback, the figures do not explain what readers liked or disliked. They offer only a broad reception signal, not confirmation of the book’s depth, clarity, or usefulness for a particular level of experience.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is this suitable for someone new to Power Query?
The listing recommends basic Power Query experience. Beginners may find it more useful after learning the fundamentals elsewhere.
### What subjects does the book cover?
The stated topics include M fundamentals, data types and expressions, data access and combination, custom functions, errors and debugging, iteration, difficult data patterns, and performance optimization.
### How long is the book?
The listing gives a print length of 758 pages.
### Is this a guide to Power BI reporting?
Its focus is Power Query and the M language for data transformation. The listing discusses data modeling and business intelligence reports as contexts for using those skills.

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## Images

![The Definitive Guide to Power Query \(M\) — 1](https://best-deals.pro/i/QVtWK5ynvwzWzu3udLGg_wBSTgufuJBaBVBLLQucxfc6BtBNL6-m56QuktJ5tPbFE_1IiEwnmYaXxtetOYG6v9uMgL9UxAhwBV9JJoxaz7b1_pXIG0vn.jpg)