Power BI Desktop – Advanced Features

Course Description

This practical one-day course builds on the skills developed in our Power BI Desktop Essentials course, introducing more advanced techniques for data preparation, modelling, visualisation and reporting. Participants will learn how to work with more complex data sources, use advanced Power Query features, develop interactive reports and improve the presentation and performance of their Power BI solutions. The course also explores techniques for publishing, refreshing and securely sharing reports through the Power BI Service. Practical exercises throughout the day enable participants to apply these advanced features to realistic business reporting scenarios.
1 Day
€550.00
 

Prerequisites

Participants should have completed our Power BI Desktop Essentials course or have equivalent practical experience.
They should be familiar with importing and transforming data, creating relationships, developing basic measures and building reports in Power BI Desktop.

Learning Objectives

On completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Apply advanced Power Query transformations to prepare and combine data from multiple sources.
Use parameters and custom functions to improve data preparation and reusability.
Work with more complex data models and understand different connectivity options.
Create dynamic, interactive reports using advanced visualisation and navigation features.
Apply advanced filtering, drillthrough and analytical techniques.
Improve report usability, presentation and performance.
Publish, refresh and securely share Power BI reports.

Advanced Power Query Techniques

Using the Advanced Editor and understanding M code
Working with query parameters and dynamic data sources
Merging and appending queries from multiple sources
Advanced transformations, including pivoting, unpivoting and conditional columns
Creating and using custom columns and reusable functions
Managing data source settings, dependencies and query errors

Advanced Data Connectivity and Modelling

Connecting to SQL databases and other external data sources
Working with JSON, XML and OData feeds
Understanding Import, DirectQuery and composite models
Managing relationships, filter direction and model complexity
Using date tables and hierarchies for more effective reporting
Good practices for organising and optimising data models

Advanced Report Design and Interactivity

Creating professional report layouts using themes and formatting
Using bookmarks, buttons and the Selection pane for report navigation
Applying drillthrough, custom tooltips and synced slicers
Using field parameters to dynamically change measures and dimensions
Creating what-if parameters for scenario analysis
Applying conditional formatting and dynamic report titles

Advanced Visualisations and Analysis

Using decomposition trees and Key Influencers for analytical insights
Working with geographical and forecasting visuals
Creating and using custom hierarchies, groups and bins
Using small multiples and advanced chart formatting
Introduction to visual calculations for running totals and comparisons
Selecting appropriate visuals to communicate business insights

Report Performance and Optimisation

Using Performance Analyzer to identify slow visuals
Recognising common causes of poor report performance
Reducing unnecessary data and visual complexity
Improving usability and report responsiveness
Applying good practices for maintainable Power BI reports

Publishing, Refreshing and Security

Publishing reports to Power BI workspaces
Creating dashboards and managing reports in the Power BI Service
Configuring scheduled refreshes and understanding gateway requirements
Introduction to row-level security (RLS)
Managing workspace roles, permissions and report sharing
Exporting reports and data to Excel and PowerPoint
Understanding secure sharing and data governance

Practical Exercise – Developing an Advanced Power BI Report

Participants apply the techniques covered during the course to enhance an existing Power BI report.
The exercise includes advanced data preparation, interactive visualisations, dynamic reporting, report optimisation and preparing the report for publication.
Power QueryPower BIPower BI Data VisualisationsPower BI DesktopPower BI OnlineMicrosoft Power BIMS Power BIDAX