Power BI isnโt just about creating visualsโitโs about unlocking insights that drive smarter decisions. In this weekโs session, the team dived deep into Excel-based data analysis, DAX fundamentals, and data modeling best practices, with exciting plans for upcoming classes on Microsoft Fabric and Copilot.
๐ Excel Data Analysis with Power BI
The session kicked off with a practical exercise using an Excel sheet titled โLast Year vs This Year.โ This dataset provided the foundation for exploring:
Week-over-week ๐
Month-over-month ๐
Year-over-year ๐
Students practiced importing, validating, and preparing the data. Since the dataset was already clean, the focus shifted quickly from Power Query to DAX queries for advanced analysis.
๐๏ธ Creating and Using Date Tables
A crucial part of the discussion was on date tablesโthe backbone of time-based analysis in Power BI. The class explored:
Creating a date table with a shared formula
Marking it properly in the model view
Validating continuous dates
Building relationships between date and fact tables
This process ensures deeper insights by adding time-based dimensions to business data.
๐ Power BI Data Modeling Essentials
The team then reviewed data modeling concepts:
Connecting multiple tables effectively
Understanding cardinality and cross-filter direction
Exploring direct query options
These foundational skills set the stage for creating reliable, scalable models.
๐ Visual Calculations Made Simple
Students explored Power BIโs ability to create visual calculations without needing complex formulas. The session covered:
Running sums โ
Moving averages ๐๐
Quick Measures for faster analysis โก
This approach makes financial reporting and performance tracking more efficient, especially for beginners.
๐งฎ DAX Fundamentals: Building the Core
DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) took center stage, with discussions on:
Creating measures, columns, and tables
Building KPIs from multiple datasets
Using Quick Measures for simplified calculations
Students practiced on real-world examples like Northwind Traders, learning to filter and calculate across different tables with ease.
โญ Practical DAX for Calculations
The class also worked on practical applications of DAX, including:
Creating star ratings based on sales
Building Top N rankings
Using the CALCULATE function effectively
The instructor reassured students that exams will focus on these fundamentalsโstraightforward, practical, and highly applicable.
๐ Key Takeaways: DAX for KPI Analysis
The session wrapped up with a focus on KPIs and cross-functional analysis:
Build 10โ15 KPI cards with different indicators ๐
Practice creating new tables for aggregated insights
Review the DAX guide and practice exercises from the LMS
Stay tuned for upcoming sessions on Microsoft Fabric and Copilot ๐ค
๐ฏ Final Thoughts
This session reinforced one powerful lesson: start with the basics, master the fundamentals, and build up from there. By understanding how to model data, create date tables, and leverage DAX for KPIs, learners are building the foundation for advanced analytics and reporting.
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