Next, we’ll bring in our other dataset by selecting “New Source” and “Text/CSV” and we’ll see the dataset on loan information added to the left-hand side.

We’ll start by importing our file on basic member info, which will bring us into the Power Query editor.

You can also import Excel files by selecting “Get Data.”

Next, we’ll click on the “Data” tab of our new worksheet and select “From Text/CSV” because the files that we’re working with are csv files.

First, we’ll take a look at each dataset to roughly analyze their contents, and then open up a new worksheet for our merged dataset.

Each dataset also contains a member ID, which will allow us to join the data on that common field in order to compare all of this data side by side. In this example, we’re using two individual datasets, the first containing basic member information, such as income, education, phone number, etc., and the second containing member loan information, such as the loan amount, interest rate, loan status, etc. Instead, let’s take a look at how we can do this same process all within the Excel Power Query editor. Traditionally, VLookup has been one of the most important tools for merging data in Excel, but the process requires multiple steps and can easily tire analysts who must merge multiple columns across many datasets. Then hit ‘OK,’ watch the data propagate, and begin reviewing or analyzing the new sheet.

Important: Make sure the labels match.

Under ‘Reference,’ select ‘Browse’ to identify the Excel workbooks you want to consolidate the data from.

In this example, we’re using “Sum” to add together the total loans borrowed per member.

In the ‘Function’ box, select the function you want to use.

In a new empty worksheet, select ‘Consolidate.’.

Open each sheet you plan to use and confirm that the data types you want to consolidate in Excel match. If both sets of numeric data are already formatted in a similar way, such as prices always formatted as $1.00, you can use the Excel consolidate feature (under the ‘Data’ dropdown menu). You want to understand the total amount of loans borrowed by each member, so you may naturally wonder how to combine data in Excel. For this example, let’s say you are given two sets of data about the amount of loans a group of members have borrowed per year, each in an independent Excel workbook.

How to apply merge and center in excel