Power Query Problems

How to Edit SQL Queries Directly in Excel Without Power Query M

Olivia Miller Oct 16, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to write and execute standard SQL queries directly in Excel to handle data transformations instead of relying on Power Query's native M language.

How to Edit SQL Queries Directly in Excel Instead of Using Power Query M

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Importing and transforming data from a SQL Server database into Excel.
Observed behavior: By default, Excel's Power Query Editor uses the M language for data transformations (like joins and grouping) after the initial import, rather than executing native database-side SQL.

Before you start

Ensure you have your SQL Server connection details ready, including the server name and database name, and verify that you have the necessary read permissions to execute custom SQL queries on the database.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Advanced Options to Input Native SQL Queries During Import

Specify a native SQL statement when initially setting up the database connection so that operations like filtering and joining occur on the server before the data enters Power Query.

By providing a native SQL query during the initial connection setup, you force the database engine to process your joins, groupings, and filters. This completely bypasses the need to write those specific transformations using Power Query's M language later.

Open the Get Data menu

Navigate to the Data tab on the Excel ribbon, click on 'Get Data', hover over 'From Database', and select 'From SQL Server Database'.

Enter connection details

In the SQL Server database dialog box, enter your Server name and the Database name you wish to query.

Expand advanced options

Click the 'Advanced options' dropdown arrow at the bottom of the dialog box to reveal additional settings.

Input your SQL query

Type or paste your native SQL query into the 'SQL statement (optional)' text box, then click 'OK' to connect and load your pre-transformed data.

Use Advanced Options to Input Native SQL Queries During Import

Query Folding Notice: Using a native SQL query typically breaks query folding for any subsequent steps added in the Power Query Editor. It is best to include as much transformation logic as possible within your initial SQL statement.

Solution 2

Modify the SQL Statement of an Existing Query

Edit the Source step in the Power Query Editor to update or append a native SQL query to an existing SQL Server connection.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel use M language instead of SQL after data is imported?

Once data is loaded into the Power Query engine, it relies on its native M formula language to record and execute transformation steps consistently, regardless of whether the original data source was a SQL database, a flat file, or a web API.

Can I convert an existing Power Query M script back into a native SQL query?

While Excel features 'Query Folding' which translates some basic M steps back into SQL behind the scenes for performance, you cannot directly export complex M transformations as raw SQL text. You must manually rewrite your M steps into a SQL statement.

Does using native SQL in Excel break query folding?

Yes, providing a custom native SQL statement in the advanced options typically breaks query folding. This means any subsequent transformations you add in the Power Query Editor will be processed locally on your computer rather than on the database server.

Excel & Data Problems