Intro to Power BI Reports and Dashboards Training Course

Module 1: Importing Data into Power BI

In this module, you will learn how to source data from a wide range of platforms, including Microsoft Excel, relational databases, and NoSQL data stores. Additionally, you will discover how to optimise performance during the data retrieval process.

Learning Objectives

By the conclusion of this module, you will be capable of:

• Identifying and connecting to a data source
• Retrieving data from relational databases, such as Microsoft SQL Server
• Extracting data from files, like Microsoft Excel
• Pulling data from applications
• Obtaining data from Azure Analysis Services
• Choosing a storage mode
• Addressing performance issues
• Resolving data import errors

Lessons

• Introduction
• Getting data from files
• Getting data from relational data sources
• Creating dynamic reports with parameters
• Getting data from a NoSQL database
• Getting data from online services
• Selecting a storage mode
• Getting data from Azure Analysis Services
• Fixing performance issues
• Resolving data import errors
• Exercise - Prepare data in Power BI Desktop
• Check your knowledge
• Summary

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

This module covers techniques for simplifying complex models, modifying data types, renaming objects, and pivoting data. You will also learn how to profile columns to identify which fields contain the valuable information needed for deeper analytics.

Learning Objectives

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

• Resolve inconsistencies, unexpected or null values, and data quality concerns.
• Apply user-friendly value replacements.
• Profile data to gain insights into specific columns before usage.
• Assess and transform column data types.
• Apply data shape transformations to table structures.
• Merge queries.
• Implement user-friendly naming conventions for 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
• Combining multiple tables into a single table
• Profiling data in Power BI
• Using the Advanced Editor to modify M code
• Exercise - Load data in Power BI Desktop
• Check your knowledge
• Summary

Module 3: Designing a Data Model in Power BI

Constructing a complex data model in Power BI is a straightforward process. However, when data originates from multiple transactional systems, you may quickly find yourself managing dozens of tables. Creating an effective data model is about simplifying this complexity. A star schema is one method to simplify a data model, 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 how to enhance performance through your Power BI data models.

Learning Objectives

In this module, you will:

• Create common 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 - Model data in Power BI Desktop
• Check your knowledge
• Summary

Module 4: Designing Power BI Reports

With Power BI offering over 30 core visuals, selecting the correct one can be challenging for beginners. This module will guide you in choosing the most suitable visual type to satisfy your design and report 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
• Selecting report visuals to suit the report layout
• Formatting and configuring visualizations
• Working with key performance indicators
• Exercise - Design a report in Power BI desktop
• Check your knowledge
• Summary

Module 5: Configuring Power BI Report Filters

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

Learning Objectives

In this module, you will:

• Design reports for filtering.
• Design reports with slicers.
• Design reports using advanced filtering techniques.
• Apply consumption-time filtering.
• Select appropriate report filtering techniques.

Lessons

• Introduction to designing reports for filtering
• Applying filters to the report structure
• Applying filters with slicers
• Designing reports with advanced filtering techniques
• Consumption-time filtering
• Selecting report filter techniques
• Case study - Configure report filters based on feedback
• Check your knowledge
• Summary

Module 6: Creating Dashboards in Power BI

Microsoft Power BI dashboards differ from Power BI reports. Dashboards allow report consumers to create a single, personalised artifact of directed data. These dashboards can be composed of pinned visuals taken from various reports. While a Power BI report uses data from a single dataset, a Power BI dashboard can contain 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 - Create a Power BI dashboard
• Check your knowledge
• Summary