PL-300 Prepare the data Practice Question
You are preparing data from a SQL Server database. The table 'Sales' contains a column 'OrderDate' that includes both date and time (e.g., '2023-10-15 14:30:00'). You need to create a separate column for the time portion only. Which TWO Power Query transformations can you use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers think 'Extract - Duration' is only for calculating time differences, not for isolating the time portion, or they may overlook that splitting by a space delimiter is a valid alternative to more complex date/time functions.
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
✓
Extract - Duration
The 'Extract - Duration' transformation in Power Query extracts the time portion from a datetime column by calculating the duration since midnight, effectively isolating the time component. Option E is correct because splitting the column by a space delimiter separates the date and time parts into two columns, allowing you to keep only the time portion. Both methods produce a time-only value suitable for analysis.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Extract - Duration
Why this is correct
Extracts time as duration from midnight.
- ✗
Extract - Year
Why it's wrong here
Extracts year, not time.
- ✗
Merge Columns
Why it's wrong here
Combines columns, not extract time.
- ✗
Format - Trim
Why it's wrong here
Trims spaces, does not extract time.
- ✓
Split Column by Delimiter (space)
Why this is correct
Splits date and time into two columns.
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