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Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Power BI

4.4 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Based on 140 ratings
see reviews
Pete Benbow

Power BI is a robust business analytics and visualization tool from Microsoft that helps data professionals bring their data to life and tell more meaningful stores.

This four-week course is a beginner's guide to working with data in Power BI and is perfect for professionals. You'll become confident in working with data, creating data visualizations, and preparing reports and dashboards.

Take this course if you are a:

  • Beginner level data professional

  • Student, Researcher, or Academic

  • Marketing analyst, business and data analyst, or financial analyst

Read more

Power BI is a robust business analytics and visualization tool from Microsoft that helps data professionals bring their data to life and tell more meaningful stores.

This four-week course is a beginner's guide to working with data in Power BI and is perfect for professionals. You'll become confident in working with data, creating data visualizations, and preparing reports and dashboards.

Take this course if you are a:

  • Beginner level data professional

  • Student, Researcher, or Academic

  • Marketing analyst, business and data analyst, or financial analyst

Course Requirement: (a) Windows computer (recommended) or (b) Mac computer with access to a Windows virtual machine or Boot Camp. Link to minimum requirements for installing Power BI Desktop. Email account so you can sign up for the Microsoft 365 Developer Program as part of this course. This can be a personal, work, or school email account.

Image Attribution: "Data visualization & Infographic/UNICEF reports Vol. 1" by Shangning Wang, Olga Oleszczuk is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Identify and work with business-oriented data sets
  • Import and prepare data for loading into a data model
  • Identify different types of data visualizations and their purpose
  • Create and share fully functional power bi reports and dashboards

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a great starting point for entry level data professionals to explore the usage of Power BI
Provides an introduction to essential data analytics concepts and visualization tools
Possesses a solid structure for learning, beginning with data fundamentals and progressing to advanced visualization techniques
Helps students develop practical skills in data manipulation, visualization, and reporting
Appropriate for marketing analysts, business and data analysts, and financial analysts seeking to enhance their data analysis capabilities
Requires access to a Windows computer or a Mac with a Windows virtual machine or Boot Camp, which may pose a limitation for some students

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Reviews summary

Essential power bi for beginners

According to learners, this course is an excellent starting point for anyone new to data analysis with Power BI. Students praise the clear and concise instruction and the emphasis on hands-on exercises and practical examples, which build confidence for immediate application in professional settings. While it provides a solid foundational understanding, some learners with prior experience note the pace can be slow or that it lacks deeper dives into advanced topics like DAX. It is ideal for true beginners.
Requires a Windows computer or a virtual machine setup.
"One thing to note is the Windows requirement; thankfully I had access to a VM."
"You need a Windows machine for Power BI Desktop, or a robust virtual machine on Mac."
Pace is ideal for beginners but potentially slow for experienced users.
"I found it moved a bit too slowly in some sections, especially if you have any prior experience with data tools."
"For me, it was a bit too slow and basic. If you literally know nothing about data visualization or Power BI, then maybe it's for you."
"The pace was just right."
Instructor is highly praised for clarity and hands-on examples.
"The instructor was clear and concise, breaking down complex Power BI concepts into easily digestible modules."
"I especially liked how the instructor explained the 'why' behind each step, not just the 'how'."
"The hands-on exercises were invaluable and helped solidify my understanding. I now feel confident creating dashboards..."
A strong and accessible introduction for newcomers to Power BI.
"This course was absolutely fantastic for a complete beginner like me. The instructor was clear and concise..."
"A perfect starting point for Power BI. I had no prior experience and now I feel much more comfortable navigating the software..."
"It's structured perfectly for beginners and provides all the necessary tools to start working with Power BI effectively."
Covers core concepts well but lacks depth in advanced topics.
"My only minor critique is that some topics, like DAX functions, were only briefly touched upon."
"While the course provides an overview, I felt it lacked depth in certain areas. For example, data cleansing..."
"I was hoping for more challenging problems or deeper dives into data modeling techniques."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Power BI with these activities:
Read Principles of Data Visualization: A Human Focused Approach
Reading this book will help you develop a strong understanding of the principles of data visualization. This preparation will help you better understand how to create visualizations that are effective and easy to understand.
View The Truthful Art on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the first three chapters of the book.
  • Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
  • Create a data visualization of your own using the principles you've learned.
Follow tutorials on creating data visualizations using Power BI
Following tutorials will help you learn how to use Power BI and create effective data visualizations.
Browse courses on Power BI
Show steps
  • Find tutorials online or in the Power BI documentation.
  • Follow the steps in the tutorials.
  • Create your own data visualizations using the techniques you've learned.
Create a Power BI cheat sheet
Creating a cheat sheet will help you organize and remember the key concepts and techniques you learn in this course.
Browse courses on Power BI
Show steps
  • List the key concepts and techniques you've learned.
  • Write a brief description of each concept or technique.
  • Organize the cheat sheet so that it's easy to find the information you need.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Join a study group or online forum for Power BI users
Joining a study group or online forum will allow you to connect with other Power BI users and learn from their experiences.
Browse courses on Power BI
Show steps
  • Find a study group or online forum.
  • Introduce yourself and ask questions.
  • Participate in discussions.
  • Share your own knowledge and experience.
Create a dashboard using Power BI Desktop
Creating a dashboard will help you practice the skills you'll learn in this course. You'll also learn how to use Power BI Desktop, which is a powerful tool for creating data visualizations and dashboards.
Browse courses on Power BI
Show steps
  • Import data into Power BI Desktop.
  • Create a data model.
  • Create a dashboard.
  • Publish your dashboard to the Power BI service.
Attend a Power BI workshop
Attending a workshop will allow you to learn from experts and get hands-on experience with Power BI.
Browse courses on Power BI
Show steps
  • Find a Power BI workshop near you.
  • Register for the workshop.
  • Attend the workshop.
  • Practice what you've learned.
Practice creating data visualizations using Power BI Desktop
Practicing creating data visualizations will help you develop your skills and improve your understanding of the material covered in this course.
Browse courses on Power BI
Show steps
  • Find a dataset online.
  • Import the dataset into Power BI Desktop.
  • Create a variety of data visualizations, such as charts, graphs, and maps.
  • Share your visualizations with others.
Participate in a Power BI competition
Participating in a competition will challenge you to use your Power BI skills to solve real-world problems.
Browse courses on Power BI
Show steps
  • Find a Power BI competition that interests you.
  • Register for the competition.
  • Create a data visualization or dashboard for the competition.
  • Submit your entry.

Career center

Learners who complete Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Power BI will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to identify trends and patterns. This course can help you develop the skills needed to import and prepare data for analysis, create data visualizations, and communicate your findings to stakeholders. The course's focus on Power BI will be particularly helpful in developing the skills needed to work with large datasets.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst is responsible for analyzing an organization's business processes and recommending solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness. This course can help you develop the skills needed to gather and analyze data, identify opportunities for improvement, and communicate your findings to stakeholders. The course's focus on data visualization will also be helpful in creating presentations that clearly communicate your insights.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Financial Analyst
A Financial Analyst is responsible for analyzing financial data to make investment recommendations. This course can help you develop the skills needed to gather and analyze financial data, identify investment opportunities, and communicate your findings to clients. The course's focus on data visualization will be particularly helpful in creating presentations that clearly communicate your insights.
See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst
Market Research Analyst
A Market Research Analyst is responsible for collecting and analyzing data about consumer behavior and market trends. This course can help you develop the skills needed to design and conduct surveys, analyze data, and communicate your findings to clients. The course's focus on data visualization will be particularly helpful in creating presentations that clearly communicate your insights.
See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst
Operations Research Analyst
An Operations Research Analyst is responsible for using mathematical and analytical techniques to solve business problems. This course can help you develop the skills needed to gather and analyze data, identify opportunities for improvement, and communicate your findings to stakeholders. The course's focus on data visualization will be particularly helpful in creating presentations that clearly communicate your insights.
See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst
Product Manager
A Product Manager is responsible for managing the development and launch of new products. This course can help you develop the skills needed to gather and analyze data about customer needs, identify opportunities for new products, and communicate your findings to stakeholders. The course's focus on data visualization will be particularly helpful in creating presentations that clearly communicate your insights.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager
Project Manager
A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course can help you develop the skills needed to gather and analyze data about project progress, identify risks and opportunities, and communicate your findings to stakeholders. The course's focus on data visualization will be particularly helpful in creating presentations that clearly communicate your insights.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Risk Analyst
A Risk Analyst is responsible for identifying and assessing risks to an organization. This course can help you develop the skills needed to gather and analyze data about risks, identify opportunities to mitigate risks, and communicate your findings to stakeholders. The course's focus on data visualization will be particularly helpful in creating presentations that clearly communicate your insights.
See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst
Sales Analyst
A Sales Analyst is responsible for analyzing sales data to identify trends and opportunities. This course can help you develop the skills needed to gather and analyze sales data, identify opportunities to increase sales, and communicate your findings to stakeholders. The course's focus on data visualization will be particularly helpful in creating presentations that clearly communicate your insights.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Analyst
Statistician
A Statistician is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. This course can help you develop the skills needed to gather and analyze data, identify trends and patterns, and communicate your findings to stakeholders. The course's focus on data visualization will be particularly helpful in creating presentations that clearly communicate your insights.
See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician
Data Scientist
A Data Scientist is responsible for using data to solve business problems. This course can help you develop the skills needed to gather and analyze data, identify trends and patterns, and communicate your findings to stakeholders. The course's focus on data visualization will be particularly helpful in creating presentations that clearly communicate your insights.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Machine Learning Engineer
A Machine Learning Engineer is responsible for developing and deploying machine learning models. This course may be helpful in developing the skills needed to gather and analyze data, identify trends and patterns, and communicate your findings to stakeholders.
See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing software applications. This course may be helpful in developing the skills needed to gather and analyze data, identify trends and patterns, and communicate your findings to stakeholders.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Web Developer
A Web Developer is responsible for designing and developing websites. This course may be helpful in developing the skills needed to gather and analyze data, identify trends and patterns, and communicate your findings to stakeholders.
See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer
Database Administrator
A Database Administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining databases. This course may be helpful in developing the skills needed to gather and analyze data, identify trends and patterns, and communicate your findings to stakeholders.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Power BI.
Cover image
Reflections on Slope Stability Engineering
Save
This classic book offers a comprehensive look at visualization principles. It great resource for delving deeper into the theory and practice of data representation.
Reflections on Slope Stability Engineering
Paperback
$$$
Reflections on Slope Stability Engineering
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Analyzing Data with Power BI and Power Pivot for...
Save
This self-paced, comprehensive book emphasizes self-sufficiency as a well-rounded Power BI developer. It includes cases for developing desktop reports and mobile dashboards using up-to-date Power BI versions.
Analyzing Data with Power BI and Power Pivot for...
Paperback
$$
Analyzing Data with Power BI and Power Pivot for...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Mastering Microsoft Power BI
Save
The solutions-oriented approach of this book provides a good complement to the more conceptual learning of the course by providing specific examples.
Mastering Microsoft Power BI: Expert techniques to...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Data Visualisation
Save
Is helpful for gaining background knowledge on data visualization principles. It can be valuable for understanding how different visualizations convey information and support effective decision-making.
Data Visualisation: A Handbook for Data Driven...
Paperback
$$
Data Visualisation: A Handbook for Data Driven...
Paperback
$$$
Data Visualisation: A Handbook for Data Driven...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Storytelling with You
Save
Emphasizes the narrative aspect of data visualization. It can be helpful for learning how to present data in a way that conveys insights and influences decision making.
Storytelling with You: Plan, Create, and Deliver a...
Paperback
$$
Storytelling with You: Plan, Create, and Deliver a...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Visual Thinking for Information Design
Save
Explores the perception aspects of data visualizations. It offers a valuable look at how humans interact with visualizations and interpret the information they convey.
Visual Thinking for Information Design
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Data Visualization Made Simple
Save
Offers a step-by-step approach to data visualization. It provides clear explanations and examples.
Data Visualization Made Simple
Paperback
$$
Data Visualization Made Simple: Insights into...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
R for Data Science
Save
While focused on a different tool, this book offers valuable insights into data visualization practices in general. It can be a useful resource for expanding your knowledge and understanding beyond Power BI.
R for Data Science: Import, Tidy, Transform,...
Paperback
$$
(Deutsch) R für Data Science: Daten importieren, bereinigen,...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Pro SQL Server 2008 Analytics
Save
Provides a broader perspective on data visualization, including SQL Server-specific techniques. It can be useful to supplement the course by demonstrating a wider range of approaches.
Pro SQL Server 2008 Analytics: Delivering Sales and...
Paperback
$

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Course image
Rating
4.4 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Effort
10 to 20 hours per week for 4 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
Davidson College
Instructor
Pete Benbow
Language
English
Transcript
English
Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Power BI belongs to the following collections:
  1. Fundamentals of Data Visualization with Power BI
  2. From Database to Dashboard using SQL and Power BI
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a great starting point for entry level data professionals to explore the usage of Power BI
Provides an introduction to essential data analytics concepts and visualization tools
Possesses a solid structure for learning, beginning with data fundamentals and progressing to advanced visualization techniques
Helps students develop practical skills in data manipulation, visualization, and reporting
Appropriate for marketing analysts, business and data analysts, and financial analysts seeking to enhance their data analysis capabilities
Requires access to a Windows computer or a Mac with a Windows virtual machine or Boot Camp, which may pose a limitation for some students
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