Power BI Zero To Hero

Duration: 4 Days

This 4-day course is intended for anyone new to designing and implementing self-service business intelligence solutions with Microsoft Power BI Desktop and the Power BI Service. The course structure is very comprehensive and provides a total immersion in the subject matter. The training is delivered with plenty of illustrated examples and augmented with practical hands-on exercises to enhance the learning experience. Also, as Power BI is continually evolving, this course is regularly reviewed and updated to keep the content as fresh and relevant as possible, thus ensuring maximum productivity from the learning experience. Due to the very comprehensive nature of this course, the content delivered may vary depending on new and updated features, and client requirements.

The course structure takes a broad and practical approach to Power BI, defining best practices and demonstrating useful techniques that will prove extremely useful in the workplace. The content delivered will also help delegates prepare for the “PL-300 Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst” exam.

The first part of the course introduces the capabilities and components of Power BI before delving into the realms of discovering and loading data from a variety of sources. Primarily focussed on using Power Query to create robust queries, students will learn about issues surrounding data quality, how to cleanse data, how to transform and then restructure data, and how to mashup data from various sources by merging and appending data. We will also examine how to manage, structure, and parameterise queries. Although a lot can be achieved working with the user interface in Power Query, we will also delve behind the scenes and introduce the M language, highlighting ways in which existing code can be tweaked and how user defined code and functions can be implemented.

Part two of the course introduces students to tabular data modelling concepts, preparing the data in readiness for use in reports and dashboards. The importance of implementing relationships is also covered. In order to enhance the data model, students will also learn about the DAX expression language to enable them to implement calculated columns, measures, and calculated tables. Consideration is also given to implementing time intelligence in the design of data models.

In part three, you will learn how to create and design reports and implement visuals. We will first look at text-based visuals before moving on to graphical components like charts, gauges and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). The implementation of maps in reports is also given coverage. To create interactivity in reports, students will also learn how to implement various types of filters and slicers.

Finally, in part four, we initially look at how we can further enhance the user experience by implementing features such as drillthrough reports, bookmarks, and showing and hiding content. Then, in order to share reports created in Power BI Desktop, we turn our attention to the Power BI Web Service. Attendees will learn how to publish reports to the Power BI Service and how to organize and secure content. The creation and use of dashboards will be considered, and different ways of sharing content will also be given coverage. We will look at user accessibility issues and consider how users, including mobile users, can interact with report content. Managing and refreshing datasets in the Power BI Service is also included.

Additionally, with the course structure being fully modularised, customised versions of this course can be devised and delivered to suit individual requirements – just ask for details.

PowerBi Training Blackbird Corporate

Prerequisites

There are no specific technical prerequisites for this course, but a familiarity with Excel and/or relational database technologies may prove beneficial. The main consideration is to have a basic understanding of your business needs to collect, cleanse, and analyse data, in order to be able to visualise and gain insights into that data.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Understand the Role Power BI plays in Self-Service BI
  • Understand the Constituent Parts of Power BI Desktop
  • Discover and Load Various Types of Data
  • Improve and Enhance Data Quality
  • Transform Data
  • Restructure Datasets
  • Combine Data from Multiple Sources
  • Parameterise Queries
  • Implement a Tabular Data Model
  • Create and Manage Relationships
  • Understand the DAX Expression Language
  • Implement Calculated Columns
  • Implement and Work with Measures
  • Implement Time Intelligence
  • Create Reports with Text-Based Visuals
  • Implement Conditional Formatting
  • Create and Implement Charts
  • Implement Gauges and KPIs
  • Implement Maps
  • Implement Slicers and Filters
  • Implement Cross Visual Interactions
  • Analyse Data with Advanced Visuals
  • Enhance the Report Consumer Usability Experience
  • Understand the Role of the Power BI Service
  • Publish Reports
  • Create and Manage Dashboards
  • Manage and Secure Content in the Power BI Service
  • Create and Distribute Apps

Course Outline:

Part 1: Introduction and Power Query

1. Introducing Power BI

  • Describe the Power BI Products and Services
  • Introducing Power BI Desktop
  • Power BI Licensing

2. Loading Data

  • Load Data from Text Files
  • Load Data from Excel Workbooks
  • Load Data from Microsoft SQL Server
  • Comparing Import and DirectQuery Storage Modes
  • Load Data from OneDrive and SharePoint
  • Load Data from the Internet
  • Connecting Live to a Published Dataset

3. Transforming Data

  • Profile Data
  • Cleanse Data
  • Transform Data
  • Query Folding
  • Shape Datasets
  • Merge and Append Data
  • Fuzzy Lookups
  • Structure and Manage Queries
  • View Query Dependencies
  • Power Query Parameters
  • Power BI Template Files
  • Introduction to the M Language
  • Create a User Defined Function with M

Part 2: Data Modelling and DAX

4. Data Modelling

  • Basic Data Modelling Concepts
  • Fact and Dimension Tables
  • Configure Table and Column Properties
  • Categorise Data
  • Sorting Columns
  • Create Hierarchies
  • Group and Bin Data
  • Organise Content with Display Folders
  • Hiding Columns and Tables in Report View
  • Create and Manage Relationships
  • Understand Filter Propagation

5. The DAX Expression Language

  • Introduction to DAX
  • Extend the Data Model with Calculated Columns
  • Create Custom Groups
  • Add Measures to the Data Model
  • Implicit v Explicit Measures
  • Manipulate the Filter Context with CALCULATE
  • Use Variables
  • The DAX Query View Environment
  • Iterator Functions
  • Using the FILTER Function
  • Create Calculated Tables
  • Create a Date Table
  • Analyse Data over Time (Time Intelligence)
  • Suppress the Display of Totals in a Visual
  • Display Selected Filter Values in a Visual
  • Dynamic Format Strings

Part 3: Reports and Visuals

6. Visualising Data

  • Implement and Format Table and Matrix Visuals
  • Rename Fields in Visuals
  • Show Items with no Data
  • Conditionally Format Visual Content
  • Use Card Visuals
  • Implement and Format Charts
  • Report Themes
  • Use the Small Multiples Feature
  • Sparklines
  • Use Tooltips
  • Implement Reports as Tooltips
  • Continuous v Categorical Axis
  • Automatically Find Clusters of Data
  • Animate Scatter Charts
  • Use the Analytics Pane
  • Forecasting & Anomaly Detection
  • Use the Analyse Feature
  • Tree Maps
  • Analyse Data with a Decomposition Tree
  • Gauges and KPIs
  • Implement Maps
  • Resolve Location Errors in Maps
  • Implement Slicers
  • Visual, Page, and Report Level Filters
  • Synchronise Slicers across Pages
  • Cross-Filtering and Cross-Highlighting
  • Import Visuals from Microsoft AppSource

Part 4: Enhancing and Publishing Reports

7. Enhancing the User Experience

  • Drillthrough Reports
  • What-If Parameters
  • Field Parameters
  • Implement Bookmarks
  • Implement Buttons
  • Text Boxes, Shapes, and Images
  • Page & Bookmark Navigation
  • Show and Hide Content
  • Implement and Manage Q&A
  • Smart Narrative
  • Mobile Report Layout
  • Useful External Tools and Resources

8. The Power BI Web Service

  • Introduction to the Power BI Web Service
  • Publish Reports to the Power BI Web Service
  • Manage and Organise Content in Workspaces
  • Workspace Folders
  • Create and Manage Dashboards
  • Dashboard Themes
  • Set up Data Alerts
  • Share Content and Workspaces
  • Create and Distribute Apps
  • Secure Data with Row Level Security (RLS)
  • Refresh Datasets
  • Understand Data Gateways
  • Export Reports

What our clients say

Great course and was kept very engaging with Scott’s help!
Virtual, Power BI Online Training Course

We are happy to discuss a tailored course if the above does not meet your exact requirements.  Our aim is to deliver the best IT training experience for our clients and make sure we help you reach your business goals.

Contact us now to discuss course dates via email: training@blackbirdcorporate.co.uk or call our office on 0800 107 6362.

We offer both onsite training and online training using Microsoft Teams, so we can meet your organisational needs.

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