Training Course on Data Analysis and Visualization using Microsoft Power BI (DMC007)
Training Course on Data Analysis and Visualization using Microsoft Power BI
The Data Analysis and Visualization using Microsoft Power BI course is designed to introduce participants to Microsoft Power BI, from the basics of operating the tools, through to advanced data analysis and visualization techniques. Participants will have a comprehensive understanding of Microsoft Power BI for data analysis and visualization, enabling them to create compelling reports and dashboards for effective decision-making.
Target Audience
This is an introductory-level course suitable for professionals seeking to leverage Microsoft Power BI for comprehensive data analysis and visualization. Prior familiarity with data concepts and analysis tools is recommended to maximize learning and application during the course.
Requirements
- Microsoft Power BI Desktop
- This course is designed for PC/Windows users (currently not available for Mac)
Course Duration
Online Training: 7 days (4hrs per day)
Classroom Training: 5 days (7hrs per day)
Course Objectives
At the end of this Data Analysis and Visualization using Microsoft Power BI training course participants will be able to:
- Understand the core concepts and components of Power BI.
- Connect to different data sources and import data into Power BI.
- Perform data transformation and data shaping tasks.
- Create interactive and visually appealing reports and dashboards.
- Apply advanced analytics techniques using DAX (Data Analysis Expressions).
- Collaborate and share insights with others in the organization.
- Implement data governance and security measures within Power BI.
Course Outline
Module 1: Introduction to Power BI and Data Sources
- Components of Power BI
- Features of Power BI
- Power BI workflow
- Self-Service ETL (Extract Transform Load)
- Setup and Configuration of Power BI
- Excel
- Online sources (Google Sheets, Kobo Toolbox, ONA, SurveyCTO, DHIS)
- Databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server)
Module 2: Data Transformation and Cleaning
- Using first Rows as Headers
- Rename fields & Replacing data values in cells, rows
- Changing data types & Change order of columns
- Un-pivoting Columns
- Grouping and splitting column into multiple
- Extract feature (before /after delimiter)
- Adding new columns
- Filters and Parameters
- View Native Queries vs Unfold Queries
Module 3: Modelling and Table Relationship
- Table relationship (One to One, One to many, Many to many)
- Introduction to Data Analysis Expression (DAX)
- Measures and calculated Column
- Row Context Vs Filter Context
Module 4: DAX Functions
- Aggregate Functions
- Date and Time Functions
- Time Intelligence Functions
- Filter Functions
- Relationship/Navigation Functions
- Logical Functions
- Text Functions
Module 5: Visualization and Charts (Power View)
- Stacked Bar chart and Stacked Column chart
- Clustered Bar chart and Clustered Column chart
- Line chart & Area Chart
- Line and Clustered Column Chart
- Line and Stacked Column Chart
- Ribbon & Waterfall chart
- Funnel & Tree Map visuals
- Pie chart and doughnut Chart
- Table chart and Matrix Chart
- Slicer, Gauge, Card visuals
- Map and Filled map
- KPI
- Q &A visual
- Fine tune your visualization using Parameters and Slicers
- Deciding on when to use a particular visual
Module 6: Building and Sharing a Dashboard
- Workspace
- Datasets
- Reports
- Create Dashboard
- Modify and update Dashboard
- Share your Dashboard
- Power Q&A and Insights
- Configuring Row level security
- Setting up user roles
Module 7: Power BI for Mobile
- Configuring Power BI for Mobile
- Visualize dashboards and report on Power BI Mobile
- Commenting on reports and dashboards in Power BI Mobile
- Excel Power BI
- Power Query and Power Pivot on Excel
- Visualize and Edit Power BI reports using excel analyzer
- Building reports on Excel and Publishing to Power BI service
Note: The specific content, activities, and duration of each session may be adjusted based on the target audience, learning objectives, and available time.
Course Language
English
Training Methodology
Presentations are well guided, practical exercise, a plenary presentation, and group work. Participants are encouraged to bring any data relevant to their job responsibilities. This is hands-on, product-oriented training and will mostly involve practical exercises. Each participant MUST bring along their own working laptop and android phone.
Certification
Upon completion of training, the participant will be issued with a certificate of Completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Training Course on Data Analysis and Visualization using Microsoft Power BI course.
Microsoft Power BI is a business intelligence platform for connecting to data sources, transforming and modelling data, building interactive visualisations, and publishing dashboards that update automatically. It combines Power Query (data transformation), DAX (Data Analysis Expressions for calculations), and visualisation tools into a single product. Power BI Desktop is free; Power BI Service hosts dashboards in the cloud for organisational sharing. It integrates tightly with Excel, SharePoint, Teams, and SQL Server — making it the dominant BI platform in Microsoft-365-centric NGOs and corporates.
Power BI and Tableau are the two leading enterprise BI platforms with similar core capabilities. Power BI wins on Microsoft 365 integration, lower licensing cost (especially with E5/A5 plans), and tight Excel compatibility — making it the default choice in Microsoft-stack organisations. Tableau wins on advanced visual analytics, stronger statistical capabilities, broader data source support, and a more polished design experience for sophisticated dashboards. For most NGO M&E use cases, either tool delivers — the choice usually comes down to existing licensing and organisational data infrastructure.
DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) is the formula language used in Power BI (and Excel's Power Pivot) to create calculated columns, measures, and tables. It looks similar to Excel functions but operates on entire data tables rather than individual cells. Common DAX patterns include time intelligence (year-over-year comparisons, month-to-date totals), conditional aggregations, ratio and percentage calculations, and ranking. DAX is the most powerful but also the most challenging part of Power BI — practitioners typically need 6-12 months of practice to develop genuine fluency beyond simple measures.
Data analysts, finance and FP&A professionals, M&E officers, operations managers, and anyone producing recurring dashboards for executives, donors or boards — especially organisations standardising on the Microsoft 365 stack.
Power Query for ETL, Data Model and relationships, DAX measures and calculated columns, visualisations and slicers, drill-through and bookmarks, row-level security, publishing to Power BI Service, workspace and app management, and scheduled refresh of data.
No — we build DAX up from simple measures. Comfort with Excel is enough to follow. SQL familiarity is a bonus but not expected. Power BI Desktop is free and used throughout the course.
Online and in-person cohorts. Both formats are hands-on and every participant builds a complete dashboard. Both issue the Perk Group Africa certificate of completion with a verification code.
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