Power BI - Beyond the Basics training course

DAX is a collection of functions, operators, and constants that can be used in a formula, or expression, to calculate and return one or more values. Stated more simply, DAX helps you create new information from data already in your model.

On this advanced Microsoft Power BI training course we will explore how to maximise Power BI's functionality to produce stunning visuals, and how to use DAX to create complex calculations that will allow you flexibility beyond that offered by the standard toolset.

Power Query provides connectivity to hundreds of data sources and over 350 different types of data transformations for each of these sources, you can therefore work with data from any source and in any shape - More advanced data modelling and visualisation techniques will be explored on this Advanced Power BI training courses as well as how you can use Power Query and M Language to get even more out of your Power BI environment.

What characterises Power BI? Power BI, a medley of software services, apps, and connectors, harmonises disparate data sources into visually compelling, interactive insights. A Microsoft product, Power BI capacitates businesses to visualise their data, disseminate insights across the organisation, or embed them in an app or website.

What differentiates Power BI and Tableau? Both Power BI and Tableau, robust data visualisation tools, display key differences. Power BI, integrating flawlessly with the Microsoft suite and offering an intuitive interface, suits businesses heavily reliant on Microsoft products. Conversely, Tableau, more flexible with a steeper learning curve, fits needs for complex data analysis and extensive data sets.

How do Power Query and Power Pivot differ?  Power Query and Power Pivot, components of the Power BI suite, serve unique functions. Power Query, a data connection solution, enables data discovery, connection, combination, and refinement from varied sources. In contrast, Power Pivot assists in modelling and analysing the acquired data by creating data models, establishing relationships, and designing calculations.

What is Power BI Desktop? Power BI Desktop, a Windows-based application in the Power BI product spectrum, permits the creation of interactive reports and dashboards. It integrates the Power Query, Power Pivot and Power View tools into a single product, facilitating data extraction, shaping, modelling, and visualisation within one platform. It's essentially another version of Power BI.

What does Power Query encompass? Power Query, a data connection tool within Power BI, enables the extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL process) of data from a diverse range of sources into Power BI and Excel.

What does DAX denote? DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) is a library of functions and operators useful in formulating calculations in Power BI, Analysis Services, and Power Pivot in Excel. You can employ these formulas to generate new data columns, aggregate data for reports, or even determine how your visualisations present data.

What function do Filters perform in Power BI? Filters in Power BI operate as tools limiting the data displayed in a visual. By applying filters, you can focus on specific data segments meeting certain criteria, yielding more precise insights.

What are Custom Visuals in Power BI? Custom visuals in Power BI are visualisation elements that you can import or create, extending capabilities beyond Power BI's standard visuals. This feature allows users to exhibit their data uniquely, tailored to their particular needs.

What role does GetData play in Power BI?  GetData, a function within Power BI, facilitates connections to diverse data sources from within Power BI. This feature allows users to import data from various sources, like databases, online services, Excel files, and other data repositories, into Power BI for analysis.

What is Business Intelligence?

Business intelligence (BI) refers to technologies that gather and analyse data, and then display the resulting information in dashboards and Power BI reports.

BI aims to interpret the enormous volumes of data that organisations store, enabling data analysis to steer business decisions and management.

For example, many retail businesses use Power BI to sort and report their POS data, particularly when Azure Cloud houses the data. Being another Microsoft product, they interface very seamlessly with each other.

Is Power BI challenging to learn?

This potent software can amalgamate data from multiple sources. This data can then assist in business analytics, generating reports and dashboards.

Like other big data software, learning Power BI for straightforward analysis of simple datasets isn't challenging.

However, mastering the full suite of big data tools in Power BI for more complex data analysis is understandably more complex and time-consuming.

Can you learn Power BI by yourself?

Yes, you can absolutely learn Power BI by yourself. The learning curve might vary based on your existing knowledge and experience with Power BI and general data analysis tools. Microsoft provides several resources, including documentation, tutorials, and community forums, which prove extremely beneficial. Additionally, numerous online platforms offer courses and tutorials on Power BI, catering to beginners and advanced users.

Nevertheless, self-learning might necessitate a longer duration to grasp the intricacies of Power BI. Structured courses, like those JBI Training provides, can offer a quicker and more comprehensive learning experience. These courses, generally led by experienced professionals, incorporate live interactions, hands-on training, and immediate feedback, offering a strong foundation in Power BI. The choice between self-learning and course learning would hinge on your learning style, available time, and specific requirements.