Power query to access website, provide parameter and read response

[pjmorris]

Hi,

I don't know if this is possible, but I'd like to access this website: https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/ which then requires a vehicle registration number and in reply will display the make and colour which is all the information I need.

I know Powerquery can access web pages, but I don't know how to pass a parameter into the page. Is it even possible?

Many thanks.

 

[Domenic]

When accessing Power Query, make sure that you select the Advance option, instead of Basic. Then, after you've enter the URL, you can add any parameters as follows...

Hope this helps!

 

[pjmorris]

Hi Domenic,

Many thanks for the suggestion, I've tried a number of guesses as to what could go in those boxes. I even looked at the script for the webpage - but its way beyond me to interpret. It just looks like a plethora of embedded functions in functions. Probably entirely understandable to the author!

Thanks again.

Peter

 

[Matt Allington]

Long story short, navigate to the page and get it to show the data you want. If you can’t cut and paste a URL and open the exact same page showing the data you want in a new browser, you can’t download with Power Query. Using Python is a more complete solution but there is a steep learning curve.

 

[pjmorris]

Thanks Matt, I suspected that that might be the case. I don't have any knowledge of Python nor, I believe, a platform to run it on.

Thanks again.

 

[Domenic]

Can you provide us with a sample plate number?

 

[Edgar_]

You probably need to POST form data with:
authenticity_token=tokenProvidedByWebsite
wizard_vehicle_enquiry_capture_vrn[vrn]=thePlate

 

[pjmorris]

Can you provide us with a sample plate number?

Hi Domenic, try WJ07NFN. Good Luck.

 

[pjmorris]

You probably need to POST form data with:
authenticity_token=tokenProvidedByWebsite
wizard_vehicle_enquiry_capture_vrn[vrn]=thePlate

Hi Edgar, but I don't understand how to obtain the token or how to POST using excel/powerquery.

Regards