While multiple technologies exist to store and analyze data, businesses like yours continue to use Microsoft Excel because of its versatility and universality. With its vast capabilities for mathematical calculations, data analysis, and chart creation, Excel is routinely leveraged for tasks like budgeting, financial analysis, and project management—which is what we’d guess you largely leverage it for in your business, too. 

Now you’re looking to take Excel data to the next level, perhaps leveraging it for ETL (extract, transform, load), or as a data source for deeper analytics via business intelligence. It’s all possible—and all in Excel. And with the help of a purpose-built integration between critical sources such as NetSuite and Excel using a tool like ExtendInsights by CloudExtend, your business intelligence insights could be even more powerful. 

In the realm of data analysis and business intelligence, the synergy between Excel, Power BI, and ExtendInsights for NetSuite represents a potent combination that extends the capabilities of traditional ETL processes. This final section emphasizes the strategic advantage of utilizing Excel not only as an analysis tool but also as an efficient data source for Power BI, enhanced by ExtendInsights’ seamless integration.

Exporting Data to Excel Using ExtendInsights

ExtendInsights for NetSuite plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem by enabling the seamless export of data into Excel. This process is critical for businesses that rely on the rich data residing in their cloud applications, such as NetSuite. By utilizing ExtendInsights to export this data into Excel, organizations position themselves to leverage the advanced analytical and visualization capabilities of Power BI.

Step 1
Utilize ExtendInsights to automate the data export from NetSuite (or other cloud platforms) directly into Excel. This step not only simplifies the initial data extraction process, but also ensures that the most current data is readily available for advanced analysis.

Transforming Data within Power BI Using Power Query

Instead of transforming data in Excel, the workflow emphasizes the use of Power Query within Power BI for data cleaning and transformation. This approach capitalizes on Power Query’s robust ETL capabilities within the Power BI environment, streamlining the data preparation process for enhanced analysis and visualization.

Step 2
After exporting data to Excel, connect Power BI to the Excel file. Within Power BI, use Power Query to import, clean, transform, and organize the data into a structured format suitable for in-depth analysis. Power Query in Power BI provides a rich set of features to refine the dataset, including filtering, sorting, merging queries, and more, without the need for manual adjustments in Excel.

Step 3
Leverage Power Query’s advanced data transformation capabilities within Power BI to prepare the dataset. This might involve handling missing values, creating custom columns, or transforming data types to ensure the data is optimized for analysis.

Connecting Power BI for Enhanced Visualizations

With the data now curated within Power BI through Power Query, it transitions seamlessly into the visualization phase, where Power BI’s advanced capabilities come to the forefront.

Step 4
Utilize Power BI’s data modeling features to further enhance the dataset, creating relationships and measures that reflect the business logic and analysis requirements.

Step 5
Develop interactive reports and dashboards in Power BI, employing its extensive visualization tools to translate the data into actionable insights. Power BI’s intuitive design interface allows users to craft compelling narratives around their data, facilitating informed decision-making.

Step 6
You’ve already automated your NetSuite searches into Excel by using ExtendInsights’ scheduling capability. The last step is to schedule Power BI to refresh the data from Excel on a scheduled basis as well. Congratulations, you now have a fully automated reporting solution that is always up to date.

The Strategic Advantage of Empowering Data-Driven Decisions

This refined workflow—from ExtendInsights to Excel, then to Power BI via Power Query—offers a streamlined and powerful solution for businesses seeking to maximize their data analysis and visualization capabilities. By using Excel as the initial data landing zone and Power Query within Power BI for data transformation, organizations can leverage a more efficient and sophisticated approach to data preparation and analysis. This strategy not only simplifies the data workflow, but also unlocks the full potential of Power BI for generating deep insights and compelling visualizations.

The integration of Excel, ExtendInsights, and Power BI, with a focus on Power Query for data transformation, represents a robust framework for businesses aiming to elevate their data analysis and visualization practices. This approach streamlines the data journey from extraction to insightful visualization, enabling organizations to leverage their data more effectively. 

The role of ExtendInsights for NetSuite in facilitating the transfer of data into Excel, followed by the sophisticated analytical and visualization capabilities of Power BI, empowers businesses to make data-driven decisions with greater agility and precision. This strategy not only enhances the efficiency of the data analysis process, but also positions organizations to uncover new insights, drive strategic decisions, and maintain a competitive edge in a data-centric world.

Try ExtendInsights for NetSuite for yourself, FREE for two weeks, with no credit card required. Get started here.