Microsoft Power BI Desktop Introduction
- Navigate the Power BI Desktop environment
- Connect to and manage different data sources
- Work with fields, views, and the data model
- Create a range of visualisations
- Understand and write basic DAX calculations
- Use Power Query for data transformation
- Publish and share reports and dashboards
- Understand PBIR and the modern report lifecycle
Overview
The Power BI Desktop Training course aims to equip attendees with essential skills in Power BI, focusing on data extraction, transformation, loading, and visualization through graphics, charts, and dashboards. Participants are expected to have prior knowledge of Excel, including Pivot Tables and functions like SUMIFS and VLOOKUP. The course covers topics such as understanding data sources, creating data models, visualizations, DAX calculations, and publishing reports to the Power BI service. Participants will also learn to share interactive dashboards and content packs.
Who should attend
Anyone who requires foundational knowledge of Power BI Desktop
Course Content
This course provides essential skills for working with Power BI Desktop. Attendees will learn how to extract, transform, and load data into the Power BI data model, create interactive visualisations, and publish reports to the Power BI Service. The course reflects the latest Power BI capabilities, including modern tooltips, Azure Maps, the updated formatting and on object interaction experience, and the enhanced semantic model. PBIR is noted for awareness but covered in the Intermediate course.
What is Microsoft Power BI
- Power BI Version Compatibility
- Interface Differences: Legacy Vs Modern (On-Object Interaction)
- Understanding Power BI Desktop and Power BI Service
- Downloading and installing Power BI Desktop
- Logging in and understanding the interface
Understanding Data Sources in Power BI Desktop
- Importing data from Excel, Access, CSV, and other sources
- Connecting to folders, databases, and cloud locations
- Reconnecting and modifying data sources
Exploring Power BI Desktop
- Working with the Data, Report, and Model views
- Using the Build and Data panels
- Sorting and formatting data in Report and Table View
Filtering Data in Power BI Desktop
- Visual-level, page-level, and report-level filters
- Using the Filters pane
- Single and multi-selection
- Advanced filtering options
- Showing and hiding the Filters pane
Creating a Data Model in Power BI Desktop
- Understanding the data model
- Using the Relationship (Model) view
- Creating many-to-one relationships
- Refreshing data
- New (2026): Updated semantic model experience (conceptual overview)
Visualisations Workshop using Power BI Desktop
- Adding visuals to the report canvas
- Report Layout Basics
- Controlling interactions between visuals
- Drill Down and Drill Through
- Creating and using hierarchies
- New (2026): Modern Visual Tooltips
- New (2026): Azure Maps visual for geographic data
Introduction to DAX in Power BI Desktop
- Syntax Explained
- Importance of custom calculations
- Creating calculated columns and measures (SUM, SUMX)
- Understanding evaluation context
- Using COUNTROWS and DISTINCTCOUNT
Using Queries in Power BI Desktop
- Understanding the Role of Power Query
- Extract, Transform & Load (ETL) concepts
- Data transformations to Clean Data
- View Applied Steps
- Creating and grouping queries
- Creating and Using Field parameters
- Column quality, distribution, and profiling
- Updated (2026) Data Profiling Tools
Publishing to Power BI Service
- Publishing reports to PowerBI.com
- Creating dashboards and adding visuals
- Creating new reports in the Service
Using Power Pivot Data Model in Power BI Service
- Creating visualisations directly in the Service using the data model
Sharing Dashboards & Reports
- Sharing reports inside and outside the organisation
- Sharing via Power BI, web, PowerPoint, and other methods
Note: The contents of this course will continue to evolve as Power BI Desktop develops. Updates will be incorporated into this outline as new features become available.
