Identifying Max Values for Numeric Columns in Power Query

DP-600 By islever Editorial Last updated

Short answer

D Table.Profile provides a statistical summary including maximum values for all numeric columns in the dataset.

Question

You have a Fabric tenant that contains a warehouse. You use a dataflow to load a new dataset from OneLake to the warehouse. You need to add a PowerQuery step to identify the maximum values for the numeric columns. Which function should you include in the step?
  1. Table.MaxN
  2. Table.Max
  3. Table.Range
  4. Table.Profile Correct Answer

Key Takeaways

The exam tests knowledge of data profiling functions versus row-level aggregation, with the common trap being the selection of Table.Max due to its literal name matching 'maximum'.

This question tests the correct Power Query M function for analyzing numeric columns to find maximum values. The page establishes that Table.Profile is the intended answer for generating a statistical summary of all columns.

Common mistake: Most candidates choose Table.Max (Option B) because it explicitly finds the maximum value, but they fail to recognize that the context implies a dataset-wide statistical analysis rather than a single column operation.

Expert Analysis

Why the Answer Is Correct

Table.Profile is the correct function because it generates a comprehensive statistical summary table for the entire input table, including min, max, average, and count for each numeric column. In the context of loading a new dataset, this step provides the necessary overview of data distribution across all numeric fields simultaneously.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Table.Max (B) returns only the single row with the highest value in a specific column, which does not provide a multi-column summary. Table.MaxN (A) returns the top N rows based on a criterion, which is inefficient for finding max values across all columns. Table.Range (C) extracts a subset of rows by index, having no relation to statistical calculation.

Community Comment Notes

While many users voted for Table.Max, experienced practitioners noted that Table.Profile is standard for initial dataset analysis. One commenter highlighted that Table.Profile provides a summary suitable for a dataflow return, whereas Table.Max is too specific. Another user pointed out that Table.Max would only return a single column's result, failing to meet the requirement for 'numeric columns' plural.

Official Reference

These links open the official vendor documentation in a new tab.

Exam Strategy

When questions ask about 'identifying' or 'analyzing' characteristics of a dataset (like max, min, avg), look for profiling functions like Table.Profile first. Reserve aggregation functions like Table.Max for when you need a specific scalar value from a specific column.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't Table.Max used if we need max values?

Table.Max returns the single row with the highest value in one specified column. It cannot generate a summary of max values for all numeric columns at once.

What does Table.Profile return exactly?

It returns a table with statistics like Min, Max, Average, Standard Deviation, and Count for every column in the source table.

More DP-600 FAQ →

Community Votes

D
62%
B
38%

62% of anonymous learners picked answer D. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.

Discussion 42 contributions

Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.

From public community threads 30 of 42

  1. lengzhai 👍 38 Answered D
    D. Table.Profile https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/table-profile
  2. woliveiras 👍 10 Answered B
    B guys, "you need to add a step..."
  3. dev2dev 👍 4 Answered D
    Table profiling is a standard process for analyzing dataset. Anyone working with new dataset would do profiling and answer is D because question is looking for "maximum values for the numeric columns."
  4. 554b579 👍 4
    This is being used in a dataflow. Table.Profile provides a summary of information. You need a specific return for your dataflow not a visual review of the data.
  5. dev2dev 👍 4 Answered B
    Table.Max because we need only max values as per the question (Table.Profile also gives the result but why we need to run it when we need just max value)
Show 25 more comments
  1. stilferx 👍 4 Answered B
    IMHO, the answer is B: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/table-max
  2. MuralikumarCh 👍 3 Answered B
    The correct answer is B. Table.Max. Explanation: Table.Max: This function is specifically designed to calculate the maximum value within a column of a table. It's the most suitable choice for identifying the maximum values for numeric columns in your PowerQuery step. Table.MaxN: This function returns the top N rows of a table. It's not appropriate for calculating maximum values. Table.Range: This function creates a new table containing a range of rows from an existing table. It's not relevant to finding maximum values. Table.Profile: This function provides statistical information about a table, including measures of central tendency and dispersion. While it can be useful for understanding data, it's not the most direct way to find maximum values. By using Table.Max in your PowerQuery step, you can efficiently identify the maximum values for the numeric columns in your dataset, enabling further analysis and decision-making.
  3. rlo123 👍 3
    Definitely B. A. Table.MaxN: This function finds the top N rows in a table based on a comparison criterion. While it could be used to find a maximum value indirectly, it's less efficient for the task at hand. C. Table.Range: This function creates a list of values within a specified range. It's not directly related to finding maximum values. D. Table.Profile: This provides statistical summaries of columns (min, max, mean, etc.). Using Table.Profile followed by extracting the relevant information would work but is more roundabout than just using Table.Max.
  4. wojciech_wie 👍 3
    I think it should be C Table.Profile - for EACH COLUMN maximum https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/table-profile Table.Max return 1 row for SPECIFIC COLUMN https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/table-max Table.MaxN works similar like Max but we have additional condion https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/table-maxn Table.Range https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/table-range
  5. a_51 👍 3 Answered D
    D. Table.Profile as B will only return a single column.
  6. pk07 👍 2 Answered B
    Correct Answer: B. Table.Max Explanation: Table.Max is the appropriate function to use when you need to identify the maximum value in a specific column. You can apply this function to each numeric column in your dataset to find the maximum values. Why Other Options Are Incorrect: A. Table.MaxN: This function is used to get the top N rows, not the maximum value in a column. C. Table.Range: This function is used to select a range of rows, not to find maximum values. D. Table.Profile: While this function provides a summary of the data, including maximum values, it does not allow you to extract or use these maximum values directly in subsequent steps.
  7. semauni 👍 2 Answered D
    Option D, Table.Profile, returns all kind of aggregate values for all columns. Including the max values. It adds a step to PowerQuery; it is written in M, you're not watching it as part of the Power BI interface. I was convinced it was B, but not that it is TABLE.Max, not List.Max. That is an important difference. This function does the following: "Returns the largest row in the table, given the comparisonCriteria." So you get one row of data, not the list of values you want. Reference: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/table-profile https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/table-max
  8. Chrys941 👍 2 Answered D
    B Does not work on multiple columns simultaneously. A t's not specifically used for finding maximum values across all numeric columns, but rather for retrieving a set number of top records C This function is used to retrieve a specific number of rows, starting at a particular index in a table. It's not related to calculating maximum values at all D Using Table.Profile, you can efficiently obtain maximum values along with other statistical insights for each column in your dataset without needing to specify each column manually.
  9. alias_mahesh 👍 2 Answered B
    The Table.Max function should be used in a Power Query step to identify the maximum values for the numeric columns. This function is designed to calculate the maximum value across each column in a table, which suits the requirement of finding maximum values for numeric columns. References = For detailed information on Power Query functions, including Table.Max, please refer to Power Query M function reference.
  10. nyoike 👍 2 Answered D
    I vote D too. The ask is for maximum value for numeric columnS. Note plural. Table.MaxN and Table.Max will return entire row(s) with max value for a specific column (singlular) so they are out. Table.Profile returns the following stats for all columns where applicable:- minimum maximum average standard deviation count null count distinct count so that fits the bill.
  11. Vulkany 👍 2 Answered D
    I initially thought that the right answer was B, but the question must be answered: “You need to add a PowerQuery step to identify the maximum values of numeric columns.” Table.Max although it can find the maximum value, it is used for a single column and returns a single row based on one column. It doesn't work for several numeric columns at once.
  12. DataSturdy 👍 2 Answered D
    Table.Profile gives Min,Max,Average,StandardDeviation,Count,NullCount,DistinctCount for all columns Table.Profile(#"last step name") Table.Max gives only the maximum value for the specified column(entire row of the maximum value column) Table.Max(#"last step name","column name")
  13. Pegooli 👍 2 Answered D
    The reason why Table.Max is not the correct choice is that Table.Max returns the row in a table that contains the maximum value for a specified column, rather than providing the maximum values for all numeric columns.
  14. TashaP 👍 2
    B. Table.Max is the simplest answer. Table.Profile is possible yes, but the question is just looking for the Max value and the way these questions work, require more simple thinking - Occam's razor.
  15. philippevandevyver 👍 2 Answered B
    A & C Incorrect, other logic D -> Will not add another power query step, will only display B it is
  16. Ello 👍 2
    D Table.Profile, just tried it out in Power Query, I am going to use it more in the future ;-)
  17. prabhjot 👍 2
    Table.Max - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/list-max
  18. DataWeetom 👍 2 Answered B
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/list-max Voted B
  19. rmeng 👍 2 Answered D
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/table-profile
  20. salini 👍 1 Answered D
    D Table.Profile: This function provides a statistical summary of a table, including the maximum values for numeric columns, along with other statistics like minimum, average, and count. It is specifically designed to give an overview of the dataset, making it ideal for identifying maximum values for numeric columns. Table.MaxN: Returns the top N rows based on a specified column but does not specifically identify the maximum value across numeric columns. Table.Max: Returns a single row with the maximum value for a specified column but does not provide maximum values for all numeric columns.
  21. Qordata 👍 1
    Not option B Table.Max because it will return the largest row even in that row if a single column has a value zero and other rows have some positive values it would be identified as maximum value and it it is not correct. Question states "identify the maximum values for the numeric columns" Option D is definitely correct for those who are saying it would not add a step check this https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Community-Blog/Enhanced-Data-Profiling-in-Power-Query-GUI-and-Table-Profile/ba-p/3799762#:~:text=Fortunately%2C%20Power%20Query%20has%20a,step%20%23%22Changed%20Type%22.
  22. ElyaKarapetyan 👍 1 Answered D
    We should use the Table.Profile to identify the maximum values for the numeric columns because only Table.Profile returns the maximum values for each column. Note: The Table.Max returns the largest row in the table Docs: Table.Profile - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/table-profile Table.Max - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/table-max
  23. pk07 👍 1 Answered B
    Table.Max: The Table.Max function returns the maximum value for a specified column in a table. It is the correct function to use when you need to identify the maximum value for numeric columns.
  24. estrelle2008 👍 1
    My guess; you use a dataflow, so UI based. Table profiling is a feature of DataFlow, and the underlying m-code = Table.Profile Answer D
  25. XiltroX 👍 1 Answered A
    Its probably gonna be MaxN as it returns the Max 'N' amount of values based on criteria. Table.Max will only return 1 value.

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