Prep 3: Top to Bottom

In one sentence – how would you explain Power BI Desktop ?

Power BI Desktop is a powerful business intelligence tool that enables users to create interactive visualisations and reports from various data sources. To make the most out of Power BI Desktop, it is crucial to understand its options and functionalities. This training material aims to provide an overview of the different options available in Power BI Desktop and how they can be utilised to enhance data analysis and reporting.

In one or two pages – how would you explain Power BI Desktop ?

Top to Bottom :

Getting Started with Power BI Desktop

a. Introduction to Power BI Desktop

b. Installation and setup

Data Connection Options

a. Importing Data: Connect to various data sources

b. DirectQuery: Create reports directly from the source database

c. Live Connection: Connect to a published dataset on Power BI service

d. Import vs. DirectQuery vs. Live Connection: Choosing the right option

Data Modeling Options

a. Relationships: Establishing relationships between tables

b. Calculated Columns: Creating custom columns using DAX expressions

c. Measures: Aggregating and calculating data using DAX

d. Hierarchies: Organising data into hierarchical structures

e. Perspectives: Creating customised views of the data model

Visualisation Options

a. Charts: Creating and customising different types of charts

b. Tables and Matrices: Displaying data in tabular format

c. Cards and KPIs: Highlighting key data points

d. Maps: Visualising geographic data

e. Slicers: Filtering data interactively

f. Drill-through: Enabling detailed analysis

Data Transformations

a. Query Editor: Transforming and cleaning data before loading

b. Data shaping operations: Filtering, sorting, and grouping data

c. Data types and formatting

Advanced Options

a. Power Query Editor: Advanced data transformation using M language

b. Advanced Data Modeling: Using advanced DAX functions and techniques

c. Custom visuals: Extending visualisation options with third-party visuals

d. R and Python integration: Incorporating custom code for advanced analytics

e. Performance optimisation: Improving report performance

f. Paginated Reports

Collaboration and Sharing

a. Power BI Service: Publishing and sharing reports

b. Power BI Apps: Packaging and distributing reports to users

c. Power BI Mobile: Accessing reports on mobile devices

d. Paginated Report Server

e. Email ?

Best Practices and Tips

a. Design principles for effective data visualisation

b. Performance optimisation techniques

c. Data security and access controls

d. Report maintenance and version control

Conclusion:

Power BI Desktop offers a wide range of options to transform, analyse, and visualise data effectively. By understanding and utilising these options, users can create compelling reports and dashboards to gain insights and drive data-based decision-making. Continuous exploration, practice and Chat GTP will help you become proficient in using Power BI Desktop and leverage its capabilities to their fullest potential.