The answer is to use Replace Values to remove the dollar sign and comma, then change the column type to decimal. This is correct because non-numeric characters like currency symbols and thousands separators prevent Power Query from automatically converting text to a number; stripping them first cleans the data so the type change succeeds without errors. On the PL-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of data cleaning in Power Query, often appearing in questions about importing CSV files where currency columns are misdetected as text. A common trap is trying to change the type directly, which creates error rows, or using the Locale feature, which is less efficient for simple symbol removal. The most efficient approach preserves data integrity by handling the root cause before conversion. Memory tip: think “strip the symbols, then switch the type”—clean first, convert second.
PL-300 Prepare the data Practice Question
This PL-300 practice question tests your understanding of prepare the data. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
You are importing data from a CSV file into Power BI. The file contains a column 'SalesAmount' with values like '$1,234.56'. When you load the data, the column is detected as text. What is the most efficient way to convert this column to a numeric type in Power Query?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use 'Replace Values' to remove the dollar sign and comma, then change the column type to decimal.
Option A is correct because it directly addresses the root cause: the dollar sign and comma are non-numeric characters that prevent automatic type conversion. By using 'Replace Values' to remove these characters first, you clean the data so that Power Query can then safely change the column type to decimal. This is the most efficient approach because it avoids error rows and preserves data integrity.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Use 'Replace Values' to remove the dollar sign and comma, then change the column type to decimal.
Why this is correct
This directly cleans the text and converts to number.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use 'Detect Data Type' and hope it automatically converts.
Why it's wrong here
Detect Data Type may not handle the currency symbol correctly; it may remain as text.
✗
Change the column type to decimal directly and ignore errors.
Why it's wrong here
Errors will occur due to the non-numeric characters, and ignoring them results in nulls.
✗
Split the column by delimiter ',' and then convert the first part.
Why it's wrong here
Splitting will separate the number from the decimal part incorrectly.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume Power BI's automatic data type detection or direct type conversion can handle formatted currency values, but Power Query requires explicit cleaning of non-numeric characters before conversion.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Power Query uses the M language's `Table.TransformColumnTypes` function, which expects clean numeric strings. The 'Replace Values' step uses `Text.Replace` to remove characters, and the subsequent type change applies `Number.From` to convert the cleaned string to a decimal. In real-world scenarios, CSV files often include locale-specific formatting (e.g., European commas as decimal separators), so understanding how to handle these patterns with 'Replace Values' or 'Split Column' is critical for accurate data ingestion.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Prepare the data — This question tests Prepare the data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use 'Replace Values' to remove the dollar sign and comma, then change the column type to decimal. — Option A is correct because it directly addresses the root cause: the dollar sign and comma are non-numeric characters that prevent automatic type conversion. By using 'Replace Values' to remove these characters first, you clean the data so that Power Query can then safely change the column type to decimal. This is the most efficient approach because it avoids error rows and preserves data integrity.
What should I do if I get this PL-300 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You are importing data from a CSV file into Power BI. The file contains a column 'Price' with values like '$1,234.56'. When you preview the data, the column is recognized as text. You need to convert it to a decimal number. What should you do in Power Query Editor?
easy
✓ A.Replace values: remove '$' and ',' then change type to Decimal Number.
B.Split the column by delimiter and keep the numeric part.
C.Change the data type to Decimal Number directly.
D.Remove commas using Replace Values, then change type.
Why A: Option A is correct because Power Query Editor cannot automatically parse currency-formatted text like '$1,234.56' into a decimal number due to the non-numeric characters. By first using Replace Values to remove the '$' and ',' symbols, you strip the text down to '1234.56', which Power Query can then successfully convert to a Decimal Number type using the Change Type step.
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Question Discussion
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