Quick Answer
The correct transformation is Split Column by delimiter because the 'Sales Amount' column stores currency codes and numeric values together as text, such as 'USD 100' or '€200', and using a delimiter—like a space or the first character—cleanly separates the currency identifier from the amount into distinct columns. This technique is a core data cleansing step in Power Query, enabling you to then convert the numeric portion to a proper data type for analysis per currency. On the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst PL-300 exam, this scenario tests your ability to recognize when a single column contains mixed data that must be parsed before modeling; a common trap is attempting to use Replace Values or Extract, which won't split the column into separate fields. Remember the memory tip: when a column holds two pieces of information glued together, think "delimiter divide" to split them apart.
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 an Excel workbook that contains multiple worksheets. One worksheet has a column named 'Sales Amount' that contains values with different currencies (USD, EUR, JPY). You need to split the data into separate columns for each currency. Which Power Query transformation should you use?
Unpivot Columns
Why wrong: Unpivots columns into rows, but does not split a single column.
Split Column by delimiter
Splits the column into currency and amount.
Merge Columns
Why wrong: Merges columns, not splits.
Group By
Why wrong: Aggregates data, not splits.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Split Column by delimiter
The correct transformation is Split Column by delimiter because the 'Sales Amount' column contains values with different currencies (USD, EUR, JPY) that are likely stored as text with a currency symbol or code prefix (e.g., '$100', '€200', '¥300'). Splitting by a delimiter (such as a space or the first character) allows you to separate the currency code from the numeric value into distinct columns, enabling further data type conversion and analysis per currency. This is a standard data cleansing technique in Power Query for parsing multi-currency data from a single column.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Unpivot Columns
Why it's wrong here
Unpivots columns into rows, but does not split a single column.
Split Column by delimiter
Why this is correct
Splits the column into currency and amount.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Merge Columns
Why it's wrong here
Merges columns, not splits.
Group By
Why it's wrong here
Aggregates data, not splits.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse 'splitting data into separate columns' with 'unpivoting' or 'grouping', but the key is recognizing that the currency values are embedded in a single column and need to be parsed into distinct columns based on a delimiter or position.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the Split Column transformation in Power Query uses the M function Table.SplitColumn, which can split text based on a delimiter (e.g., space, comma) or by number of characters. For currency splitting, you might use a space delimiter if the format is 'USD 100', or split by position if the currency code is a fixed length (e.g., first 3 characters). A real-world scenario is importing financial reports where each row contains a transaction amount with a currency symbol; splitting allows you to pivot or analyze each currency separately without manual parsing.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
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FAQ
Prepare the data — This question tests Prepare the data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Split Column by delimiter — The correct transformation is Split Column by delimiter because the 'Sales Amount' column contains values with different currencies (USD, EUR, JPY) that are likely stored as text with a currency symbol or code prefix (e.g., '$100', '€200', '¥300'). Splitting by a delimiter (such as a space or the first character) allows you to separate the currency code from the numeric value into distinct columns, enabling further data type conversion and analysis per currency. This is a standard data cleansing technique in Power Query for parsing multi-currency data from a single column.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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