PL-300 Prepare the data Practice Question
You are importing data from a folder containing multiple CSV files with identical structure. You want to automatically combine all files into one table in Power Query. Which connector should you use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently choose the CSV connector because they think it can handle multiple files, but it only processes a single file per connection, while the Folder connector is the correct tool for batch combining.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Folder connector
The Folder connector is the correct choice because it is specifically designed to connect to a folder containing multiple files, and when combined with the 'Combine Files' transformation in Power Query, it automatically merges all CSV files with identical structures into a single table. This connector handles the iterative process of reading each file and appending rows without manual scripting.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Excel Workbook connector
Why it's wrong here
The Excel Workbook connector is designed for importing data from a single Excel workbook (.xlsx, .xls) into Power BI. It cannot be used to import data from a folder of CSV files, and it has no facility for combining multiple files. To combine multiple CSV files, you must use the Folder connector, which can handle any supported file type in a directory.
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CSV connector
Why it's wrong here
The CSV connector imports one specific CSV file at a time by requiring a file path or file picker. It does not support folder traversal or combining multiple CSVs with the same schema. Using it for a folder would require creating a separate query for each file, which is not the intended workflow in Power Query.
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Web connector
Why it's wrong here
The Web connector is used to pull data from a URL, such as an API endpoint or a web page, not from a local file system folder. It expects an HTTP or HTTPS address, and cannot browse directories or read physical CSV files. Therefore, it is completely unsuited for loading multiple CSV files from a Windows file folder.
- ✓
Folder connector
Why this is correct
The Folder connector is the correct solution because it connects to a local directory, lists all files, and supports the 'Combine Files' feature in Power Query. With CSV files, it samples the first file to infer the schema, then automatically applies the same transformation to every file and appends the results into a single table. This is the standard approach for importing multiple CSV files with identical structures.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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