Section 1: Introduction to Power BI

1. Overview of Power BI Desktop

• Expectations:
  • Understand the Purpose: Know that Power BI Desktop is used for creating and designing reports, visualizations, and data models.
  • Identify Key Features: Be familiar with the main features such as data connectivity, data transformation, and visualization creation.
  • Navigate the Interface: Understand how to navigate the Home, Insert, and View tabs, and know the difference between Report view, Data view, and Model view.
  • Basic Operations: Know how to open, save, and close reports, and how to manage multiple report pages.

2. Downloading and Installing Power BI Desktop

• Expectations:
  • Installation Process: Understand the steps to download and install Power BI Desktop from the Microsoft Store or the Power BI website.
  • System Requirements: Be aware of the minimum system requirements for running Power BI Desktop.
  • Troubleshooting: Know how to troubleshoot common installation issues such as permissions errors or compatibility issues.

3. Connecting to Data Sources

• Expectations:
  • Data Source Types: Understand the different types of data sources supported by Power BI Desktop (e.g., Excel, CSV, SQL Server, Azure).
  • Connection Steps: Know the steps to connect to various data sources using the “Get data” option.
  • Data Import vs. Direct Query: Understand the difference between importing data and using direct query mode.
  • Basic Data Cleaning: Know how to perform basic data cleaning and transformation using Power Query.

4. Basic Navigation and Interface Elements

• Expectations:
  • Home Tab: Understand the functions of key buttons such as “Get data,” “New Page,” and “Save.”
  • Insert Tab: Know how to add different types of visuals (e.g., bar charts, line charts, maps) to your report.
  • View Tab: Understand how to switch between Report view, Data view, and Model view.
  • Report View: Know how to add and format visuals, and how to manage report pages.
  • Data View: Understand how to view and manage your data tables.
  • Model View: Know how to create and manage relationships between tables.

5. Understanding the Power BI Ecosystem

• Expectations:
  • Components: Understand the roles of Power BI Desktop, Power BI Service, and Power BI Mobile.
  • Integration: Know how Power BI integrates with other Microsoft products (e.g., Excel, Azure).
  • Use Cases: Be able to describe common use cases for each component in the Power BI ecosystem.
  • Collaboration: Understand how to share and collaborate on reports using the Power BI Service.

6. Basic Terminology and Concepts

• Expectations:
  • Key Terms: Understand and be able to define terms such as datasets, reports, dashboards, and workspaces.
  • Differences: Know the differences between reports and dashboards, and between datasets and data sources.
  • Data Sources: Understand the concept of data sources and how they are used in Power BI.
  • Permissions: Know the basics of managing user permissions and access to reports and dashboards.

7. Getting Started with Power BI Desktop

• Expectations:
  • Initial Setup: Know how to download, install, and launch Power BI Desktop.
  • Connecting Data: Understand how to connect to a data source and import data into Power BI Desktop.
  • Creating a Report: Know the steps to create a basic report, including adding visuals and formatting them.
  • Publishing: Understand how to publish a report to the Power BI Service for sharing with others.

8. Additional Resources

• Expectations:
  • Learning Paths: Know where to find Microsoft Learn tutorials and learning paths for Power BI.
  • Documentation: Understand how to navigate and use the official Power BI documentation.
  • Online Certifications: Be aware of reputable online courses and training programs for Power BI.
  • Community Support: Know how to engage with the Power BI community through forums and user groups.

Conclusion