Goals of This Chapter
- Download & install Power BI Desktop (free). Explore all 3 views: Report, Table (Data), Model.
- Understand the 3 components: Desktop, Service, Mobile — know what each does.
- Learn the workflow: Data → Transform → Model → Visualize → Share.
- Understand Import vs DirectQuery vs Live Connection — when to use which.
- Explore all panes: Fields, Visualizations, Filters. Know the canvas layout.
- Understand file types - pbix, pbit, pbip.
What is Power BI?
Microsoft Power BI is a tool provided of course by Microsoft for data analytics, which includes preparation, visualization and distribution of data. A tool for data analytics.
How to Instal the Power BI?
It is quiet easy to install the Power BI, just open the Microsoft Store in your Windows and search for Power BI, you will see an option “Power BI Desktop”, that is the app that you have to install. After installation, open it and start exploring.
Components of Power BI?
Microsoft offers three services related to Power BI ecosystem.
- Power BI Desktop : The main app used for handling data, creating semantic models from data and reports with visualizations. ****
- Power BI Service : It is used to sharing content with others over the cloud and for creating dashboards. ****
- Power BI Mobile : For having an access to your work everywhere. Built on Power BI Service.
Power BI Desktop Interface
When you open a blank report in the Power BI Desktop you are looking at the screen something like this.
