PowerBI Training course #254027

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Connect and Transform Data: Import data from various sources (Excel, SQL, web) and use Power Query Editor to clean, shape, and prepare data for analysis.

• Build a Robust Data Model: Design and manage table relationships (Star Schema) to create an efficient and accurate foundation for analysis.

• Create Calculated Columns and Measures: Write DAX formulas to create custom calculations, metrics, and business logic for advanced analytics.

• Design Interactive Reports: Utilize a wide range of visuals to build intuitive, user-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing reports and dashboards.

• Share and Collaborate: Publish reports to the Power BI Service, create apps, configure dashboards, and manage security for effective organizational sharing.

• Apply Best Practices: Implement performance optimization, design consistency, and accessibility standards throughout the development process.

This course is designed for a wide range of roles that involve data analysis, reporting, or decision-making:

• Data Analysts and Business Intelligence Analysts

• Financial Analysts and Reporting Accountants

• Business Analysts and Project Managers

• Marketing Analysts and Sales Operations Specialists

• IT Professionals involved in reporting and analytics

• Any professional who needs to create reports or dashboards to monitor performance and inform strategy

• Pre-assessment
• Live group instruction
• Use of real-world examples, case studies and exercises
• Interactive participation and discussion
• Power point presentation, LCD and flip chart
• Group activities and tests
• Each participant receives a binder containing a copy of the presentation
• slides and handouts
• Post-assessment

Day 1: Foundations – Connecting & Shaping Data

• AM: Introduction to the Power BI Ecosystem

  • Overview of Power BI Desktop, Service, and Mobile.

  • Navigating the Power BI Desktop interface.

  • Connecting to data sources: Importing data from Excel and databases.

• PM: Power Query Editor – The Data Transformation Engine

  • Cleaning data: removing duplicates, filtering rows, changing data types.

  • Transforming data: pivoting/unpivoting columns, splitting columns, adding custom columns.

  • Hands-on Exercise: Cleaning a messy Excel dataset for analysis.

Day 2: Building the Data Model & Introduction to DAX

• AM: Data Modeling Fundamentals

  • Understanding table relationships (one-to-many, many-to-many).

  • Creating a Star Schema: Dimension vs. Fact tables.

  • Managing relationships and creating a clean, efficient data model.

• PM: DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) Basics

  • Introduction to DAX syntax and calculated columns.

  • Essential functions: SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, CALCULATE.

  • Hands-on Exercise: Building a data model and creating basic calculated columns.

Day 3: Core DAX & Time Intelligence

• AM: Introduction to Measures

  • The critical difference between calculated columns and measures.

  • Creating implicit vs. explicit measures.

  • Using the CALCULATE function to modify filter context.

• PM: Time Intelligence for Trend Analysis

  • Creating a date table (best practices).

  • Essential time intelligence functions: TOTALYTD, SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR, DATEADD.

  • Calculating Month-to-Date (MTD), Quarter-to-Date (QTD), Year-to-Date (YTD) metrics.

  • Hands-on Exercise: Building a report with key time-based performance metrics.

Day 4: Visualisation & Report Design

• AM: Choosing the Right Visual

  • Core visuals: Bar/Column charts, Line charts, Scatter charts, Maps.

  • Advanced visuals: Waterfall, Gauge, KPI, and custom visuals from AppSource.

  • Applying filters (page, report, visual level) and using slicers for interactivity.

• PM: Advanced Report Design & Storytelling

  • Design principles: layout, colour, and hierarchy.

  • Creating bookmarks and buttons for navigation.

  • Using tooltips and drill-through for detailed analysis.

  • Hands-on Exercise: Designing a multi-page, interactive report with a professional layout.

Day 5: Publishing, Service & Capstone Project

• AM: The Power BI Service & Collaboration

  • Publishing reports from Desktop to the Power BI Service.

  • Creating and sharing Dashboards.

  • Building and distributing Apps to business users.

  • Introduction to data gateway and scheduled refresh.

• PM: Capstone Project & Best Practices

  • Capstone Exercise: Participants are given a multi-source business scenario. They must load and transform the data, build a model, write DAX measures, and create a final interactive report.

  • Performance optimization and best practices review.

  • Course Wrap-Up: Q&A and next steps for advanced learning.