Power BI Desktop Introduction

Course Overview

Turn your raw data into clear, interactive insights with Power BI Desktop.
Discover how to transform raw data into meaningful insights using Power BI Desktop. This course introduces the fundamentals of Microsoft Power BI, focusing on how to collect, clean, and visualise data effectively. Learners will gain the skills to create interactive dashboards and visual reports that support informed business decisions. This is an essential starting point for anyone looking to expand from Excel into modern data analytics.

________________________________________

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:
• Business professionals with little or no Power BI experience
• Excel users looking to expand into data analytics
• Analysts or managers who generate or interpret reports
• Anyone interested in building interactive dashboards and visual reports

Required Knowledge:
• Basic computer literacy (keyboard, mouse, file handling)
• Familiarity with Excel data handling (tables, formulas, charts) is helpful but not required

________________________________________

What You Will Learn

Getting Started with Power BI
• Introduction to Power BI and its components
• Understanding the Power BI workflow and environment

Connecting and Preparing Data
• Connecting to common data sources: TXT, Excel, CSV, PDF, Web
• Power Query Editor basics: cleansing and transforming data
• Creating a simple data model and building relationships

Designing Visual Reports
• Designing visual reports using bar, line, donut, pie, table, card, and KPI visuals
• Choosing appropriate visuals for different data types
• Adding interactivity using slicers and filters

Sharing and Exporting
• Exporting reports to PDF or PowerPoint
• Publishing to the Power BI Service (free tier)

________________________________________

Exclusions:

The following topics are outside the scope of this course:
• Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) coding
• Measures and Calculated Columns
• Custom visuals from AppSource
• R/Python or AI visuals
• Power BI Service Pro features (e.g., sharing, workspaces)

________________________________________

Key Learning Outcomes

At the end of this training, you should know how to:
• Navigate Power BI Desktop confidently
• Connect to and transform data from multiple sources
• Build a simple data model and create relationships
• Design clear, interactive visual reports
• Add slicers and filters to enhance report interactivity
• Export or publish reports using the Power BI Service (free tier)

________________________________________

Delivery Format

This is a classroom-based course. Each participant will have access to a fully equipped workstation with Microsoft Power BI Desktop installed. The instructor will guide the course using live demonstrations, practical exercises, and real-time feedback.
Training Environment Includes:
• Individual PCs with Microsoft Power BI Desktop
• Course materials and online notes
• Comfortable classroom setting conducive to learning

Participants are not required to bring their own laptop.

________________________________________

Recommended Progression Pathway

After completing this course, learners should consider:
• Microsoft Power BI – Intermediate Data Modelling and DAX
• Microsoft Power BI – Advanced Reporting and Dashboard Design
• Excel Advanced Data Analysis (Power Query & PivotTables)

________________________________________

Learner Support

Participants will have indefinite online access to all practice files and notes at https://www.dti.ie. Email support will also be offered on items covered during this course at support@dti.ie.