Course Outline
Module 1: Acquire Data in Power BI
This module instructs participants on retrieving data from diverse sources, including Microsoft Excel, relational databases, and NoSQL data stores. It further covers methodologies to enhance performance during data retrieval operations.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:
- Identify and establish connections to data sources
- Extract data from relational databases, such as Microsoft SQL Server
- Retrieve data from files, such as Microsoft Excel
- Acquire data from applications
- Retrieve data from Azure Analysis Services
- Select appropriate storage modes
- Rectify performance issues
- Resolve data import errors
Lessons
- Introduction
- Acquire data from files
- Retrieve data from relational sources
- Construct dynamic reports using parameters
- Obtain data from NoSQL databases
- Retrieve data from online services
- Select storage modes
- Acquire data from Azure Analysis Services
- Remediate performance issues
- Resolve data import errors
- Exercise - Prepare data in Power BI Desktop
- Knowledge Assessment
- Summary
Module 2: Clean, Transform, and Load Data in Power BI
This module demonstrates techniques for simplifying complex data models, modifying data types, renaming objects, and pivoting data. It also details the process of profiling columns to identify high-value data sets essential for advanced analytics for government decision-making.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:
- Address inconsistencies, unexpected or null values, and data quality defects.
- Implement user-centric value replacements.
- Profile data to gain detailed insights into specific columns prior to utilization.
- Assess and transform column data types.
- Apply structural transformations to table architectures.
- Consolidate queries.
- Implement standardized naming conventions for columns and queries.
- Modify M code within the Advanced Editor.
Lessons
- Introduction
- Shape initial data
- Simplify data structure
- Assess and modify column data types
- Consolidate multiple tables into a single entity
- Profile data in Power BI
- Utilize Advanced Editor to adjust M code
- Exercise - Load data in Power BI Desktop
- Knowledge Assessment
- Summary
Module 3: Design a Data Model in Power BI
Constructing a robust data model in Power BI is a systematic process. When data originates from multiple transactional systems, the resulting volume of tables can become unmanageable. Developing an effective data model involves simplifying this complexity. Star schemas serve as a primary method for streamlining data models, with this module covering the necessary terminology and implementation strategies. Additionally, participants will examine the importance of selecting correct data granularity for optimizing performance and usability in Power BI reports. The module concludes with strategies for enhancing performance through Power BI data models for government operations.
Learning Objectives
In this module, participants will:
- Create standard date tables
- Configure many-to-many relationships
- Resolve circular relationships
- Design star schemas
Lessons
- Introduction
- Manage tables
- Create a date table
- Work with dimensions
- Define data granularity
- Manage relationships and cardinality
- Address modeling challenges
- Exercise - Model data in Power BI Desktop
- Knowledge Assessment
- Summary
Module 4: Design Power BI Reports
Given that Power BI encompasses over 30 core visual types, selecting the appropriate visual can be complex for novice users. This module provides guidance on selecting the most suitable visual types to satisfy design specifications and report layout requirements for government communication.
Learning Objectives
In this module, participants will:
- Understand the architecture of a Power BI report.
- Understand report objects.
- Select appropriate visual types for application.
Lessons
- Introduction
- Design the analytical report layout
- Design visually effective reports
- Report objects
- Select report visuals
- Select visuals aligned with report layout
- Format and configure visualizations
- Utilize key performance indicators
- Exercise - Design a report in Power BI Desktop
- Knowledge Assessment
- Summary
Module 5: Configure Power BI Report Filters
Report filtering is a multifaceted area, with numerous techniques available for filtering Microsoft Power BI reports. This complexity provides granular control, enabling the design of reports that meet specific requirements and expectations. Certain filtering techniques are applied during design, while others are relevant at the point of consumption (reading view). The critical objective is ensuring the report design enables users to intuitively narrow down to specific data points of interest for government stakeholders.
Learning Objectives
In this module, participants will:
- Design reports with filtering capabilities.
- Design reports utilizing slicers.
- Design reports employing advanced filtering techniques.
- Apply consumption-time filtering.
- Select suitable report filtering techniques.
Lessons
- Introduction to designing reports for filtering
- Apply filters to the report structure
- Apply filters using slicers
- Design reports with advanced filtering techniques
- Consumption-time filtering
- Select report filter techniques
- Case Study - Configure report filters based on feedback
- Knowledge Assessment
- Summary
Module 6: Create Dashboards in Power BI
Microsoft Power BI dashboards differ from Power BI reports. Dashboards allow users to consolidate directed data into a single, personalized artifact. Dashboards may consist of pinned visuals sourced from various reports. While a Power BI report utilizes data from a single dataset, a Power BI dashboard can aggregate visuals from multiple datasets, providing a comprehensive view for government oversight.
Learning Objectives
In this module, participants will:
- Configure mobile view settings.
- Apply themes to dashboard visuals.
- Configure data classification.
- Integrate real-time dataset visuals into dashboards.
- Pin a live report page to a dashboard.
Lessons
- Introduction to dashboards
- Configure data alerts
- Explore data through questioning
- Review Quick Insights
- Apply dashboard themes
- Pin a live report page to a dashboard
- Configure a real-time dashboard
- Configure data classification
- Set mobile view
- Exercise - Create a Power BI dashboard
- Knowledge Assessment
- Summary
Requirements
None
Testimonials (2)
The most valuable takeaway was learning how to apply the concepts in real-world scenarios and understanding the tools and processes.
Marcel Tansae - DB Technology
Course - Microsoft Power Automate
How to use relationships in Power BIand the differences between columns and measurements
