A Complete Introduction to Power BI

A Complete Introduction to Power BI

Connect to Data, Build Models, Create Dashboards, and Master DAX for Informed Business Decisions

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Platform:
Online
In-class
Revised and Updated: 28 September 2026
Date Venue Duration
08 - 09 October 2026 Sandton, Gauteng 2 Days
14 - 15 December 2026 Sandton, Gauteng 2 Days

Course Introduction

Power BI Desktop is a free application you install on your local computer that lets you connect to, transform, and visualise your data. With Power BI Desktop, you can connect to multiple different sources of data and combine them (often called modelling) into a data model. This data model lets you build visuals, and collections of visuals you can share as reports, with other people inside your organisation. Most users who work on business intelligence projects use Power BI Desktop to create reports, and then use the Power BI service to share their reports with others.

Microsoft Power BI is quickly becoming the world’s most powerful self-service BI platform. This interactive masterclass offers a complete introduction to Power BI, delivering deep insights into any organisation and giving you the ability to drive and direct informed, agile business decisions. As one of the easiest-to-use data analysis and reporting tools on the market, it allows you to create your own datasets based on single or multiple sources and transform raw data into professional-quality interactive dashboards from scratch.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this A Complete Introduction to Power BI course, participants will be able to:

  • Apply Power BI best practice, tips and tricks
  • Understand Power BI Desktop and its components
  • Connect to different data sources using the Query Editor
  • Work in the different views of the Data Model
  • Create calculated columns and measures
  • Use the DAX formula language to develop powerful calculations
  • Create a wide range of charts and visualisations
  • Create, modify, and customise interactive dashboards, visualisations, and reports to convey specific business KPIs and measures

Who should attend?

  • Anyone looking to pursue a career in data analysis or business intelligence
  • Data analysts and Excel users hoping to develop advanced data modelling, dashboard design and business intelligence skills
  • People who want to understand how to create customised visuals
  • All Excel users who work with data, reports, and dashboards
  • Management Accountants who are required to report on transactional data sets
  • Marketing and Operational Analysts
  • Entrepreneurs, CEOs, and Accountants looking to master the data analysis process
  • Anyone wanting to transition into Business Analytics
Microsoft (365) Office Courses

Training Methodology

Our diverse instructional approaches ensure effective learning:

– Lectures & Presentations: Engage with expert-driven, stimulating content.
– Course Material: Access well-crafted supporting resources.
– Group Work: Collaborate on discussions and case studies for practical insights.
– Workshops & Role-Play: Participate in immersive, scenario-based activities.
– Practical Application: Focus on applying theoretical knowledge in real situations.
– Post-Training Support: Receive extensive support after training for skill implementation.

Training Outline

Introducing Power BI Desktop
  • Understanding the Power BI tools
  • An overview of the workflow
  • Introducing the different views of the Data Model

The Query Editor (Extract, Transform & Load)
  • What is the Query Editor
  • Looking at the Query Editor interface
  • Types of data connectors
  • Transforming basic tables
  • Formatting text, numbers, and dates
  • Index and conditional columns
  • Pivoting and unpivoting columns
  • Modifying, merging, and appending queries
  • Query Editor and Power BI best practice

Working on the Data Model
  • Introduction to database normalisation
  • FACT tables vs. DIMENSION tables
  • Introducing and understanding relationships
  • Active vs. inactive relationships
  • Understanding cardinality
  • Star vs. snowflake schemas
  • Connecting multiple data tables
  • Cross-filter selection and many-to-many relationships
  • Hiding fields from the Report view
  • Data modelling and Power BI best practices

Working with DAX
  • Introduction to DAX
  • DAX and calculated columns
  • DAX syntax and operators
  • Common Power BI functions
  • Date and time intelligence formulas
  • Logical and conditional formulas
  • Text, Math, and Stats functions
  • DAX and Power BI best practices

Working in Report View to Visualise Results
  • Introduction to Report View
  • Understanding the Report View interface
  • Adding basic charts
  • Formatting and filtering options
  • Matrix visuals
  • Slicers and Timelines
  • Creating Cards and KPIs
  • Power BI Maps
  • Types of visualisations
  • Applying different filter types
  • Linking to Report Bookmarks
  • Using "What-if" parameters
  • Managing and viewing roles
  • Publishing to the Power BI service
  • Data visualisation best practices

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FAQs –A Complete Introduction to Power BI

Master Power BI fundamentals, learning data importing, interactive dashboard design, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) basics, visual reporting, and published analytics to transform raw business data.

What is covered in the A Complete Introduction to Power BI Training?
The course covers the fundamentals of Power BI Desktop, connecting to diverse data sources, data transformation with Power Query, establishing data relationships, basic DAX calculations, creating interactive visualizations, and publishing reports to the Power BI Service.
Who should attend the A Complete Introduction to Power BI course?
This introductory training is designed for business analysts, Excel users, department managers, reporting personnel, and professionals seeking to transition from static spreadsheet reporting to automated, interactive business intelligence dashboards.
Do participants need prior programming or advanced database experience?
No prior programming experience is required. Basic familiarity with Microsoft Excel is helpful, as the course builds foundational skills step-by-step from initial data import to report publishing.
How does Power BI connect and transform raw business data?
Power BI utilizes integrated Power Query technology to extract data from sources such as Excel, SQL databases, CSVs, and cloud services, allowing users to clean, shape, and merge datasets seamlessly before analysis.
Does the course include practical dashboard building exercises?
Yes. Attendees participate in hands-on workshops where they build end-to-end interactive reports, configure dynamic cross-filtering slicers, set up visual hierarchy drill-downs, and share dashboards safely.
Why is adopting Power BI advantageous over traditional static spreadsheet reporting?
Power BI automates recurring data refreshes, handles significantly larger volume datasets effortlessly, reduces manual preparation errors, and delivers interactive visual analytics accessible across desktop and mobile devices.

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