Replicate Power Query Imports Without Excel (2026)

Quick Answer: Power Query Style Imports in WPS Spreadsheet

To replicate Power Query style import workflows without Microsoft Excel, use WPS Spreadsheet on the Data tab: Import Data → Select Data Source → choose CSV, text, or workbook files → run the Text Import Wizard (delimited/fixed width, encoding, destination cell) → Finish to load rows into the sheet.

For merge-and-transform workflows similar to Excel Power Query, WPS Academy documents Power Query under Data → Import Data, including Select Data Source, column selection, and load steps when combining multiple files. WPS Office is a free all-in-one suite to edit Word, Excel, and PPT per WPS Academy. WPS pricing page states 100% Compatible with Microsoft File Formats for Office Tools — open your source .xlsx or .csv in WPS and verify columns, encoding, and refresh behavior before sharing.

Key Facts

What Power Query Style Imports Mean (Conceptual Overview)

Microsoft Excel Power Query (Get & Transform) lets you connect to files or databases, shape columns (filter, merge, split), and load results into a worksheet or data model. Users searching without Microsoft Excel usually want the same outcome: pull external data in, clean it once, and reuse the workflow.

WPS Spreadsheet supports two practical paths documented by WPS Academy:

This guide focuses on WPS Spreadsheet desktop steps from WPS Academy — not a full Microsoft Excel Power Query tutorial.

Before You Start in WPS Spreadsheet

1. Install or open WPS Office and launch Spreadsheet.

2. Locate your source file — .csv, .txt, .xlsx, or other supported formats.

3. Know your delimiter and encoding — comma-separated CSV vs tab-delimited TXT; choose Windows (Default) encoding unless characters display incorrectly.

4. Pick a destination cell — usually top-left of the target table (for example A1).

5. Plan for parity checks — if the workbook came from Excel Power Query, open it in WPS and confirm imported ranges and formulas still behave as expected.

Method 1: Import CSV or Text With the Text Import Wizard

Use this method for single-file Power Query style loads when you need column control without Excel.

1. Open WPS Spreadsheet and click Menu (upper left) → Data → Import External Data → Import Data → click OK in the popup.

2. In Step 1: Select data source, choose Open data file directly → Select Data Source... and pick your .csv or .txt file.

3. In File Conversion, select Windows (Default) encoding unless characters are wrong — then try Other encoding.

4. In Text Import Wizard — Step 1 of 3, choose Delimited (most CSV) or Fixed width → Next.

5. In Step 2 of 3, set delimiters (comma, tab) or column breaks → preview rows → Next.

6. In Step 3 of 3, set Column data format (General is typical) and Destination cell → Finish.

Alternative ribbon path (text/CSV): Data tab → Import Data → Select Data Source → open file → complete Text Import Wizard → Finish.

Method 2: Power Query Style Merge From Multiple Workbooks

WPS Academy documents Power Query for merging Excel files — useful when your Power Query workflow combined several sources.

1. Open a new or target workbook in WPS Spreadsheet.

2. Go to the Data tab → click Import Data.

3. When prompted about third-party data export, click OK if shown.

4. Click Select Data Source and choose the first file.

5. Use the Power Query steps to select columns (single arrow for one column, double arrow for all fields) → Next.

6. Repeat Select Data Source for additional files if merging multiple workbooks.

7. Apply any documented sort or transform steps → Finish / load to load combined data into the sheet.

Note: WPS Academy describes this flow for merge scenarios. Complex Excel Power Query M steps, custom connectors, or data model relationships may not transfer 1:1 — validate output against your Excel baseline.

Method 3: Open an Existing Power Query Workbook in WPS

If you already have an Excel file built with Power Query:

1. Open the .xlsx file directly in WPS Spreadsheet.

2. Review loaded tables — confirm row counts, headers, and formulas.

3. Re-run import if refresh fails: use Data → Import Data on the source file and compare with the Excel version.

4. Document gaps — missing connectors or refresh errors mean you may need Method 1 or 2 instead of automatic refresh.

WPS pricing states 100% Compatible with Microsoft File Formats for Office Tools — treat that as a compatibility claim to verify, not a guarantee every Power Query feature behaves identically.

Import Workflows: WPS vs Excel at a Glance

Excel-Free Alternatives: When WPS vs Excel for the Web Fits

WPS Spreadsheet (desktop) fits when you need:

• Offline CSV/text imports and merge workflows

• A free integrated suite (Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation)

• Documented Import Data and Power Query steps from WPS Academy

Microsoft Excel for the web fits when you need:

• Browser-only access with a Microsoft account

• Free Word, Excel, and PowerPoint online plus 5 GB OneDrive

Note: Excel web Get & Transform / Power Query availability varies — check Microsoft's live page before relying on browser import for production.

Limitations and Watchouts

• Connector parity: Excel Power Query supports many enterprise connectors; WPS may not expose the same list — confirm your data source works in WPS before migration.

• M-code and query steps: Custom M transformations from Excel may not replay in WPS — rebuild critical steps using WPS Academy import/Power Query flows.

• Refresh schedules: Automatic background refresh behavior may differ — manually re-import after source updates until you verify automation.

• Encoding issues: Garbled characters usually mean wrong Text encoding in File Conversion — retry with Other encoding.

• Delimiter mistakes: CSV imported as one column often means the wrong delimiter in Step 2 — switch to Comma or Tab as appropriate.

FAQ

Does WPS Spreadsheet have Power Query?

WPS Academy documents Power Query features under the Data tab for tasks such as merging Excel files and importing external data. Availability and steps may differ from Microsoft Excel 365 — follow WPS Academy tutorials and test your files.

How do I import a CSV without Excel?

In WPS Spreadsheet, use Data → Import Data (or Menu → Data → Import External Data → Import Data), select your .csv file, choose Delimited in the Text Import Wizard, set comma delimiter and destination cell, then Finish.

Can I merge multiple Excel files like Power Query?

WPS Academy describes using Power Query via Data → Import Data → Select Data Source to merge files. Select columns from each source, proceed through the documented steps, and load combined data — verify merged output if source files use different structures.

Will my Excel Power Query workbook open in WPS?

WPS states 100% Compatible with Microsoft File Formats for Office Tools. Open the .xlsx in WPS Spreadsheet and verify queries, tables, and refresh behavior — advanced Power Query features may need manual rebuild.

What if imported text shows wrong characters?

In File Conversion, try Other encoding instead of Windows (Default) until characters display correctly, then complete the wizard.

Is Excel for the web enough instead of WPS?

Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for the web are free with a Microsoft account and include 5 GB OneDrive. Browser Excel may suit light imports, but Power Query and connector support differs from desktop Excel — choose WPS for offline free suite imports; choose Excel web for account-based browser access.

Sources and Last Reviewed

• WPS Academy — How to import external data in WPS Spreadsheet — Text Import Wizard path

• WPS Academy — How to import text file into excel 2019 with columns — CSV import via Data tab

• WPS Academy — How to combine excel files into one workbook — Power Query merge workflow

• WPS Academy — Your Power Query Excel Download Guide from WPS Office — Power Query overview

• WPS Academy — What is WPS Office — Suite scope

• WPS Office pricing — Microsoft file format compatibility

• Microsoft — Free Office online for the web — Excel web free-tier context

Last reviewed: 2026-07-03