Power BI Tutorial
Power BI Tutorial
analyze, visualize, and share data. It provides interactive dashboards, reports, and data
modeling capabilities to help organizations make data-driven decisions .
🔹 Key Features of Power BI
1. Data Connectivity – Connects to multiple data sources like Excel, SQL Server,
Azure, APIs, etc.
2. Data Transformation – Cleans and processes data using Power Query.
3. Data Modeling – Uses DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) for calculations.
4. Interactive Visualizations – Provides charts, graphs, and KPI dashboards.
5. Power BI Service – Cloud-based platform for sharing reports.
6. Real-time Data Updates – Supports auto-refresh and live connections.
7. AI & Machine Learning – Integrates with AI to uncover insights.
Power BI Mobile Access reports on mobile devices Executives & field teams
Power BI Report Server Host reports on-premises Enterprises with security needs
Power BI Visuals
Add custom visuals to Power BI reports Analysts & developers
Marketplace
Cost Subscription-based (low upfront cost) High upfront cost (servers, maintenance)
Home Ribbon Contains options to import data, transform data, and publish reports.
Component Description
Power Query Editor Used for data cleaning and transformation before loading into the model.
Data View Displays the raw data tables imported into Power BI.
Report View The main area for designing visualizations and dashboards.
Fields Pane Lists tables, columns, and measures available for use in reports.
Visualizations Pane Contains charts, tables, and custom visuals to represent data.
Filters Pane Allows applying filters to visuals, pages, or the entire report.
Purpose Used for report creation and development Used for sharing and collaboration
History of Power BI
Early Development (2010-2015)
2010 – Microsoft introduced Project Crescent, a data visualization tool for SQL Server.
2011 – Project Crescent was renamed Power View and integrated into SQL Server 2012.
2013 – Microsoft released Power BI for Office 365, combining Power Query, Power Pivot,
and Power View.
2015 – Microsoft launched Power BI as a standalone cloud-based service, making it a full-
fledged BI tool.
Growth and Advancements (2016-Present)
2016 – Power BI became a market leader in BI and analytics, with monthly updates.
2017 – Integration with Azure, AI, R, Python, and natural language processing.
2018-2020 – Power BI introduced Paginated Reports, Dataflows, and AI-powered analytics.
2021-Present – Advanced governance, security, and hybrid BI capabilities were added,
making Power BI a leading enterprise BI tool.
Current Status
Power BI is now one of the most widely used BI tools, competing with Tableau, QlikView,
and Looker. It is part of the Microsoft Power Platform and integrates with tools like
Azure, Excel, SQL Server, and Dynamics 365.
📌 1. Introduction to DAX
✅ What is DAX?
DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) is a formula language used in Power BI, Excel Power
Pivot, and SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) to perform calculations on data.
It helps in data modeling by creating new columns, measures, and tables based on existing
data.
✅ Why Use DAX?
DAX allows you to:
Create calculated columns, measures, and tables.
Perform complex calculations efficiently.
Handle relationships between different tables.
Apply dynamic aggregations and filtering in reports.
✅ B. Logical Functions
Used for decision-making based on conditions.
Function Description Example
✅ C. Text Functions
Used for handling string operations.
Function Description Example
CONCATENATE(Customer[FirstName],
CONCATENATE() Combines two strings
Customer[LastName])
Extracts characters
LEFT() LEFT(Product[Code], 3)
from the left
Extracts characters
RIGHT() RIGHT(Product[Code], 4)
from the right
✅ E. Filter Functions
Used for data filtering.
Function Description Example
✅ B. Context in DAX
1️⃣ Row Context
Exists inside calculated columns.
Evaluates expressions row by row.
Example:
DAX
Profit = Sales[Revenue] - Sales[Cost]
2️⃣ Filter Context
Exists inside measures and visuals.
It filters data before calculation.
Example:
DAX
Physically stored in the data model, increasing Not stored; calculated on the fly when
Storage
file size. used in visuals.
Computed at the row level when data is Computed at the aggregation level
Calculation
loaded or refreshed. based on filters in a visual.
Can slow performance due to increased data More efficient as it calculates only
Performance
storage. when needed.
Usage Used when you need a new column in a table, Used for aggregations like sum,
like concatenating names or categorizing data. average, count, and dynamic
Feature Calculated Column Measure
calculations.
Example of a Measure
Scenario: You want to calculate the total sales dynamically based on filters.
DAX
Total Sales = SUM(Sales[Amount])
✅ Calculated only when used in a visual, improving performance.
% of Total Sales =
DIVIDE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), ALL(Sales)), 0)
✅ Helps in analyzing product performance.
Full Name = Employees[First Name] & " " & Employees[Last Name]
✅ Used for creating a full name field in reports.
3️⃣ Order Category Based on Sales Amount (Conditional Logic with IF)
Classifies orders based on sales value.
DAX
Order Category =
IF(Sales[Amount] > 1000, "High Value", "Regular")
✅ Used for customer segmentation.