POWER BI SYLLABUS

STAGE 1: Connecting & Shaping Data

In this stage we’ll focus on building automated workflows to extract, clean, transform, and load our

project data using Power Query, and explore common data connectors, storage modes, profiling

tools, table transformations, and more:

• Data connectors

• Storage & import modes

• Query editing tools

• Table transformations

• Connecting to a database

• Extracting data from the web

• QA & Profiling tools

• Text, numerical, date & time tools

• Rolling calendars

• Index & conditional columns

• Grouping & aggregating

• Pivoting & unpivoting

• Merging & appending queries

• Data source parameters

• Importing Excel models

STAGE 2: Creating a Relational Data Model

In stage 2 we’ll review data modeling best practices, introduce topics like cardinality,

normalization, filter flow and star schemas

• Database normalization

• Fact & dimension tables

• Primary & foreign keys

• Star & snowflake schemas

• Active & inactive relationships

• Relationship cardinality

• Filter context & flow

• Bi-directional filters

• Model layouts

• Data formats & categories

• Hierarchies

STAGE 3: Adding Calculated Fields with DAX

In stage 3 we’ll introduce data analysis expressions (DAX). We’ll create calculated columns and

measures, explore topics like row and filter context, and practice applying powerful tools like filter

functions, iterators, and time intelligence patterns:

• DAX vs. M

• Calculated columns & measures

• Implicit, explicit & quick measures

• Measure calculation steps

• DAX syntax & operators

• Math & stats functions

• Conditional & logical functions

• The SWITCH function

• Text functions

• Date & time functions

• The RELATED function

• CALCULATE, FILTER & ALL

STAGE 4: Visualizing Data with Reports

Stage 4 is about bringing our data to LIFE with reports and dashboards. We’ll review data viz best

practices, building and format basic charts, and add interactivity with bookmarks, slicer panels,

parameters, tooltips, report navigation, and more:

• Data viz best practices

• Dashboard design framework

• Cards & KPIs

• Line charts, trend lines & forecasts

• On-object formatting

• Table & matrix visuals

• Conditional formatting

• Top N filtering

• Map visuals

• Drill up, drill down & drillthrough

• Report slicers & interactions

• Bookmarks & page navigation

• Numeric & fields parameters