Do you often work with multiple Excel files or sheets and wish you could combine them quickly? This guide will show you how to combine Excel files using Power Query, one of the most powerful features in Excel. Whether you’re merging data from different sheets or entire workbooks, this beginner-friendly method will save you hours of manual copy-pasting.
Whether you’re a beginner or an Excel enthusiast looking to level up your data skills, this method will save you time, boost your productivity, and ensure accuracy.
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What is Power Query and Why Combine Excel Files?
Power Query is a built-in data transformation tool available in Excel. It allows users to connect, clean, and combine data from various sources with just a few clicks. If you’re handling Excel tasks in Nepali offices or schools, mastering this tool will make your workflow much smoother.
Why Use Power Query to Combine Excel Files?
Combining Excel data manually can lead to errors and wasted time. With Power Query, you can:
- Append multiple sheets into one table
- Merge several Excel workbooks from a folder
- Automate combining processes for recurring tasks
This is especially helpful for Excel for beginners in Nepal, looking to work smarter.
What is Append in Power Query?
Append Queries is a feature in Power Query Editor that allows you to combine two or more tables with similar structures (same column names and types) into one unified table. Think of it like stacking multiple sheets on top of each other.
This is ideal for monthly reports, regional data, or any scenario where your data is split into similar sheets or files.
🔹 Method 1: Combine Multiple Sheets from the Current Workbook
Let’s say you have three sheets: Jan, Feb, and March, each containing sales data. Here’s how you can append them:
- Go to Data tab > Get & Transform Data > Click Get Data > Choose From Workbook.
- Load all sheets into the Power Query Editor.
- Rename the queries for clarity (e.g., Jan, Feb, March).
- In the Power Query window, go to Home > Append Queries > Append as New.
- Select the sheets you want to combine.
- Click OK and view the combined data in one table.
📌 Tip: Use “Append as New” so your original data stays untouched.
🔹 Method 2: Combine Sheets from Different Workbooks
If your data is spread across multiple Excel files, no problem:
- Go to Data > Get Data > From Workbook.
- Select your first workbook and import the sheet you need.
- Repeat the same steps for the second (or more) workbook.
- Load both sheets into Power Query Editor.
- Again, go to Home > Append Queries > Append as New.
- Combine both queries and view the merged data.
📌 Important: Ensure all sheets/files have the same column structure to avoid errors.
🔹 Method 3: Combine Excel Files from a Folder Automatically
Let’s take it a step further. Imagine a folder with five or more Excel files that are updated regularly. Here’s how to combine all of them dynamically:
- Go to Data > Get Data > From File > From Folder.
- Browse and select the folder containing your Excel files.
- Preview the file list and click Combine & Transform.
- Power Query will auto-detect the worksheets and load them into the editor.
- Clean your data: remove unnecessary columns, filter rows, etc.
- Click Close & Load to bring your combined data into Excel.
Now, whenever new files are added to that folder, just click Refresh and your combined table will update automatically!
Watch the Full Tutorial (Video)
▶️ Excel Combine Sheets and Files Tutorial in Nepali – Excel Point Nepal
💡 Use Case: Save Hours of Manual Work
Let’s say you’re an accountant or data analyst managing monthly sales reports. Instead of copying data from 12 sheets or files every month, this method helps you create a smart data pipeline—refresh once, and you’re done.
Whether you’re working on dashboards, KPIs, or preparing reports for your manager, this technique is a must-have in your Excel toolbox.
🧠 Bonus Tips for Smarter Query Management
- Rename your queries clearly (e.g., “Sales_Jan”, “Sales_Combined”).
- Use “Remove Duplicates” after appending to clean your data.
- Save your queries as connections only if you plan to reuse them.
- Always refresh to update your combined output with new data.
Want to Learn More?
Check out Microsoft’s official Power Query guide for deeper insights.
✅ Final Thoughts
Power Query’s Append feature is one of the most powerful tools in Excel for data consolidation. Whether you’re combining three sheets or 300 files, this method is efficient, dynamic, and beginner-friendly. With just a few clicks, you can eliminate repetitive tasks and focus on data analysis.
If you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to share it with your Excel-learning friends and explore more tips on Excel Point Nepal—your go-to place for Excel tutorials in Nepali!
