The answer is to use the 'From Folder' connector in Power Query and filter by creation date to keep only the latest file. This is correct because the connector treats Azure Blob Storage containers as folders, allowing you to sort by the "Date modified" column and apply a filter to retain only the top row, which Power Query dynamically re-evaluates on each refresh. On the PL-300 exam, this tests your understanding of automating data ingestion from dynamic sources, a common scenario for daily batch files. A frequent trap is manually selecting a single file, which breaks automation; instead, you must use a filter that adapts to new files. The key insight is that Power Query’s folder connector, combined with a descending sort on the date column and a "Keep First Rows" step, ensures only the most recent file loads without hardcoding file names. Memory tip: think "Sort, Filter, Refresh" — sort by date descending, filter to the top row, and let refresh handle the rest.
PL-300 Prepare the data Practice Question
This PL-300 practice question tests your understanding of prepare the data. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 a data analyst for a retail company. You receive daily sales data in CSV files stored in an Azure Blob Storage container. The files have a consistent naming convention: Sales_YYYYMMDD.csv. You need to load only the latest file into Power BI each day, using Power Query. You want to automate this process so that each time you refresh the dataset, it picks up the most recent file. You have already created a connection to the container. What should you do in Power Query to ensure only the latest file is loaded?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use 'From Folder' connector, filter by creation date to keep only the latest file.
Option C is correct because the 'From Folder' connector in Power Query allows you to connect to a folder (including Azure Blob Storage containers mapped as folders) and then filter files by creation date or last modified date. By filtering to keep only the latest file, you ensure that each refresh loads the most recent CSV without manual intervention. This approach fully automates the process, as Power Query will evaluate the filter each time the query refreshes.
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 'From Azure Blob Storage' and filter by last modified date.
Why it's wrong here
That connector does not provide per-file filtering easily.
✗
Use 'Combine Files' and then filter to the latest date.
Why it's wrong here
Combines all files first, which is inefficient.
✓
Use 'From Folder' connector, filter by creation date to keep only the latest file.
Why this is correct
Automatically picks latest file on refresh.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create a parameter for the file name and update it manually.
Why it's wrong here
Not automated.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'From Azure Blob Storage' with 'From Folder', not realizing that 'From Folder' provides direct access to file metadata like creation date, which is essential for filtering to the latest file, while the blob storage connector is more suited for direct file selection without metadata filtering.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the 'From Folder' connector uses the Azure Blob Storage REST API to list blobs in the container, returning metadata such as creation time and last modified time. Power Query then applies a filter to keep only the row with the maximum timestamp, which effectively selects the latest file. This method is efficient because it only downloads metadata initially, and the actual file content is only loaded for the filtered row, minimizing data transfer and refresh time.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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 'From Folder' connector, filter by creation date to keep only the latest file. — Option C is correct because the 'From Folder' connector in Power Query allows you to connect to a folder (including Azure Blob Storage containers mapped as folders) and then filter files by creation date or last modified date. By filtering to keep only the latest file, you ensure that each refresh loads the most recent CSV without manual intervention. This approach fully automates the process, as Power Query will evaluate the filter each time the query refreshes.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This PL-300 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PL-300 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.