Intro to Power BI Reports and Dashboards Training Course

Module 1: Retrieving Data in Power BI

In this section, you will explore methods for fetching data from a wide range of sources, including Microsoft Excel, relational databases, and NoSQL data stores. You will also discover how to optimize performance during the data retrieval process.

Learning Objectives

Upon completing this module, you will be able to:

• Identify and establish connections to data sources
• Fetch data from relational databases, such as Microsoft SQL Server
• Retrieve data from files, such as Microsoft Excel
• Access data from applications
• Obtain data from Azure Analysis Services
• Choose an appropriate storage mode
• Address performance bottlenecks
• Resolve data import errors

Lessons

• Introduction
• Fetching data from files
• Fetching data from relational data sources
• Creating dynamic reports using parameters
• Retrieving data from a NoSQL database
• Accessing data from online services
• Selecting a storage mode
• Fetching data from Azure Analysis Services
• Fixing performance issues
• Resolving data import errors
• Exercise - Preparing data in Power BI Desktop
• Knowledge Check
• Summary

Module 2: Cleaning, Transforming, and Loading Data in Power BI

This module demonstrates how to streamline complex models, adjust data types, rename objects, and pivot data. Additionally, you will learn to profile columns to identify the valuable data required for deeper analytics.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Resolve inconsistencies, unexpected or null values, and other data quality issues.
• Apply user-friendly value replacements.
• Profile data to gain insights into specific columns before utilization.
• Assess and transform column data types.
• Apply data shape transformations to table structures.
• Merge queries.
• Apply user-friendly naming conventions to columns and queries.
• Edit M code in the Advanced Editor.
   

Lessons

• Introduction
• Shaping the initial data
• Simplifying the data structure
• Assessing and changing column data types
• Merging multiple tables into a single table
• Profiling data in Power BI
• Using the Advanced Editor to modify M code
• Exercise - Loading data in Power BI Desktop
• Knowledge Check
• Summary

Module 3: Designing a Data Model in Power BI

Creating a complex data model in Power BI is a straightforward process. When data originates from multiple transactional systems, you may quickly find yourself managing dozens of tables. Constructing a robust data model involves simplifying this complexity. A star schema is an effective method for simplifying data models, and this module covers the terminology and implementation. You will also understand why selecting the correct data granularity is crucial for the performance and usability of your Power BI reports. Finally, you will learn techniques for enhancing performance with your Power BI data models.

Learning Objectives

In this module, you will:

• Create standard date tables
• Configure many-to-many relationships
• Resolve circular relationships
• Design star schemas
   

Lessons

• Introduction
• Working with tables
• Creating a date table
• Working with dimensions
• Defining data granularity
• Working with relationships and cardinality
• Resolving modeling challenges
• Exercise - Modeling data in Power BI Desktop
• Knowledge Check
• Summary

Module 4: Designing Power BI Reports

With over 30 core visuals available in Power BI, selecting the right one can be challenging for beginners. This module will guide you in choosing the most suitable visual type to satisfy your design and layout requirements.

Learning Objectives

In this module, you will:

• Understand the structure of a Power BI report.
• Learn about report objects.
• Select the appropriate visual type to use.
   

Lessons

• Introduction
• Designing the analytical report layout
• Designing visually appealing reports
• Report objects
• Selecting report visuals
• Choosing visuals that suit the report layout
• Formatting and configuring visualizations
• Working with key performance indicators
• Exercise - Designing a report in Power BI desktop
• Knowledge Check
• Summary

Module 5: Configuring Power BI Report Filters

Report filtering is a nuanced area, as numerous techniques are available for filtering Microsoft Power BI reports. However, this complexity offers control, enabling you to design reports that meet specific requirements and expectations. Some filtering techniques are applied during design, while others are relevant during report consumption (in reading view). The key is ensuring your report design allows users to intuitively narrow down to the data points of interest.

Learning Objectives

In this module, you will:

• Design reports with filtering in mind.
• Design reports incorporating slicers.
• Utilize advanced filtering techniques in report design.
• Apply consumption-time filtering.
• Select appropriate report filtering techniques.

Lessons

• Introduction to designing reports for filtering
• Applying filters to the report structure
• Applying filters using slicers
• Designing reports with advanced filtering techniques
• Consumption-time filtering
• Selecting report filter techniques
• Case Study - Configuring report filters based on feedback
• Knowledge Check
• Summary

Module 6: Creating Dashboards in Power BI

Microsoft Power BI dashboards differ from Power BI reports. Dashboards enable users to create a single, personalized artifact of directed data. They can consist of pinned visuals sourced from various reports. While a Power BI report draws data from a single dataset, a Power BI dashboard can include visuals from multiple datasets.

Learning Objectives

In this module, you will:

• Set a mobile view.
• Add a theme to the visuals in your dashboard.
• Configure data classification.
• Add real-time dataset visuals to your dashboards.
• Pin a live report page to a dashboard.
   

Lessons

• Introduction to dashboards
• Configuring data alerts
• Exploring data by asking questions
• Reviewing Quick insights
• Adding a dashboard theme
• Pinning a live report page to a dashboard
• Configuring a real-time dashboard
• Configuring data classification
• Setting mobile view
• Exercise - Creating a Power BI dashboard
• Knowledge Check
• Summary