What is this meeting about?
Do you recognize this?
Repetitive manual work in Excel-combining data from multiple sheets and sources, with a constant risk of errors?
Why attend?
Manual processes are time-consuming and prone to inconsistencies. This session shows how to improve accuracy, completeness, and cycle time by reducing manual effort through applying Power Queries.
What & how?
In this practical session, you'll learn how to use Power Query in Excel to combine data, create a controlled and repeatable process, and build a more reliable way of working-through hands-on examples you can apply immediately.
Presentation:
Stream:
Key take-aways:
The session on “Excel for Reward Nerds: Next Level” made one thing very clear: the future of HR, compensation, and finance work in Excel isn’t about more formulas—it’s about better processes. By introducing Power Query as a structured ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) layer, the session reframed how professionals should approach recurring data challenges. Instead of rebuilding datasets every month, the focus shifts to designing repeatable, scalable workflows that significantly reduce manual effort and errors.
What stands out is that the real transformation is not technical, but driven by a shift in mindset. Moving from ad hoc spreadsheet work to a process-oriented approach requires discipline in data structure, consistency, and governance. While the learning curve may seem steep, the payoff is substantial: improved efficiency, transparency, and reliability in data handling—especially in complex environments such as payroll, budgeting, and compensation analytics.
- Power Query = Process mindset, not just a feature
Shift is conceptual. Treat Power Query as a data processing layer , not just an Excel tool. It enables you to define transformation logic once and reuse it, turning repetitive work into automated workflows. - Structure first, logic second
Most of Excel’s complexity stems from poor data structure. Using tables, consistent formats, and aligned data types simplifies everything further down the line and makes automation feasible. - Automate the tasks you repeat monthly
The strongest business case lies in recurring tasks (e.g., payroll consolidation, financial reporting). Folder-based connections allow new data to flow in automatically—no more manual stacking. - Think transformations, not formulas
Replace scattered formulas with centralized transformation steps (merge, append, split, unpivot). This improves transparency, maintainability, and auditability. - Data types and relationships matter more than you think
Seemingly minor issues, such as mismatches between text and numbers, can break your logic. Getting this right early on is critical for reliable merges and accurate outputs.
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