DEPARTMENT OF CSD

B.Tech II YEAR – II SEMESTER

PROJECT REPORT
Power BI For Beginners

Student Name: JANGALA PAVAN KUMAR

Roll Number: 23BK1A6727

Dhulapally, Hyderabad – 500 014

Activity Task-I Power BI For Beginners

Student Name: JANGALA PAVAN KUMAR

Roll Number: 23BK1A6727

Marks Obtained: Faculty Sign

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Data Overview
4. Data Preparation
5. Power BI Visualization
6. Insights and Analysis
7. Recommendations
8. Conclusion

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ABSTRACT
Abstract: Power BI for Beginners
Power BI is a powerful business intelligence (BI) tool developed by Microsoft
that enables users to connect, analyze, and visualize data efficiently. It helps
businesses make data-driven decisions by transforming raw data into
interactive reports and dashboards.
This document provides a beginner-friendly introduction to Power BI,
covering essential concepts such as data preparation, visualization techniques,
and report generation. It explains how Power BI connects to various data
sources, cleans and transforms data using Power Query, and utilizes Data
Analysis Expressions (DAX) for calculations. Additionally, it explores key
visualization techniques, allowing users to create meaningful insights through
charts, graphs, and interactive dashboards.
By the end of this guide, beginners will have a strong understanding of Power
BI’s capabilities and how it can be used to improve decision-making in
businesses and organizations. This document serves as a foundation for those
looking to enhance their data analytics skills using Power BI.

INTRODUCTION OF PROJECT
In today’s data-driven world, businesses and organizations rely on advanced analytics
tools to make informed decisions. Power BI, a business intelligence (BI) tool developed
by Microsoft, enables users to connect, visualize, and analyze data from various sources
efficiently. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, Power BI allows both
beginners and experienced professionals to create interactive dashboards and reports
with minimal coding.
This project aims to introduce Power BI to beginners, guiding them through the essential
steps of data analysis and visualization. It covers:
• Data Connectivity – How to import data from Excel, SQL databases, cloud
services, and APIs.
• Data Transformation – Using Power Query to clean, filter, and structure raw data.
• Data Modeling – Establishing relationships between datasets and applying Data
Analysis Expressions (DAX) for calculations.
• Visualization Techniques – Creating interactive reports with bar charts, pie charts,
maps, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Publishing and Sharing – Deploying dashboards in the Power BI Service for
collaboration.

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The goal of this project is to provide beginners with hands-on experience in using Power
BI to turn raw data into meaningful insights. By the end, users will be able to confidently
build dynamic reports and dashboards, making data-driven decision-making easier and
more effective.

DATA OVERVIEW
Power BI supports different types of data, including:
• Structured Data – Organized in tables with rows and columns (e.g., databases,
Excel).
• Semi-Structured Data – Partially organized data (e.g., JSON, XML).
• Unstructured Data – Raw data without a predefined format (e.g., text files, logs).
3. Data Sources in Power BI
Power BI can connect to a wide variety of data sources, including: a.
File-Based Data Sources
• Excel (.xlsx, .csv)
• Text files (.txt, .csv)
• XML and JSON
• PDF
b. Database Sources
• Microsoft SQL Server
• MySQL, PostgreSQL
• Oracle Database
• Microsoft Access
c. Cloud-Based Sources
• Microsoft Azure (SQL Database, Blob Storage)
• Google BigQuery
• Amazon Redshift
d. Online Services
• SharePoint
• Google Analytics

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 • Salesforce
• Microsoft Dynamics
e. Web & API Connections
• REST APIs
• OData feeds
4. Data Connectivity Modes in Power BI
Power BI provides multiple ways to connect and interact with data:
• Import Mode – Loads data into Power BI for faster processing.
• DirectQuery Mode – Connects to live databases without importing data.
• Live Connection – Connects directly to an online service or cloud-based system.
5. Data Preparation and Transformation
Before using data for analysis, it often needs cleaning and transformation. Power BI
provides:
• Power Query Editor – A built-in tool for cleaning and transforming data.
• Data Shaping – Filtering, sorting, and modifying data before visualization.
• Data Merging – Combining multiple datasets into one.
• Column Transformations – Changing data types, creating calculated columns,
and handling missing values.
6. Data Modeling in Power BI
Once the data is prepared, it needs to be structured for effective analysis:
• Creating Relationships – Linking different tables based on keys.
• Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) – A formula language used for creating
calculated columns, measures, and aggregations.
• Hierarchies – Organizing data into levels (e.g., Year > Quarter > Month > Day).
7. Importance of Data Quality in Power BI
Clean and accurate data is essential for meaningful insights. Poor data quality can lead
to misleading reports and incorrect decision-making. Best practices include:
• Removing duplicates and inconsistencies.
• Handling missing or incorrect values.

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 • Using proper data validation techniques.

DATA PREPARATION
Step 1: Connecting to Data Sources
Power BI allows users to import data from various sources, including:
• Excel, CSV, and text files
• Databases (SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle)
• Cloud platforms (Azure, Google BigQuery, Amazon Redshift)
• Online services (Google Analytics, SharePoint, Salesforce)
• APIs and web data sources
Step 2: Importing Data into Power BI

• Use the “Get Data” option in Power BI to connect to the selected data source.
• Choose the required tables or datasets for analysis.
• Decide between Import Mode (faster performance) or DirectQuery (real-time
updates).
Step 3: Data Cleaning and Transformation (Using Power Query)
Power Query Editor is a built-in tool in Power BI that helps clean and prepare data before
analysis.
Common Data Cleaning Tasks in Power Query:
1. Removing Duplicates – Ensuring data consistency by eliminating repeated
records.
2. Handling Missing Values – Filling, replacing, or removing empty cells.
3. Changing Data Types – Converting text to numbers, dates, or Boolean values as
needed.
4. Splitting and Merging Columns – Separating combined data or merging related
columns.
5. Filtering and Sorting Data – Keeping only relevant records for analysis.
6. Standardizing Data Formats – Ensuring uniform naming conventions,
capitalization, and date formats. Step 4: Data Merging and Appending

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 • Merging Queries – Combining data from multiple tables based on a common key
(like Customer ID).
• Appending Queries – Stacking datasets together when data structure is similar
(e.g., combining monthly sales reports).
Step 5: Creating Relationships Between Tables
• Use the "Model" view in Power BI to define relationships between tables.
• Create primary and foreign key relationships for better data structure.
• Avoid duplicate relationships to prevent errors in reporting. Step 6: Creating
Calculated Columns and Measures (Using DAX)
DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) is a formula language in Power BI used for creating
custom calculations.
• Calculated Columns – Create new data fields based on existing columns. o

Example: TotalPrice = Quantity * UnitPrice

• Measures – Perform aggregations like sum, average, or count dynamically.
o Example: Total Sales = SUM(Sales[Revenue])
Step 7: Data Validation and Performance Optimization
• Check for data accuracy before building reports.
• Remove unnecessary columns to improve performance.
• Use Aggregations to optimize large datasets and improve report speed.

POWER BI VISUALIZATION
Basic Visuals
1. Bar Chart – Used to compare different categories.
2. Column Chart – Similar to a bar chart but with vertical bars.
3. Line Chart – Best for showing trends over time.
4. Pie Chart – Represents proportions within a dataset.
5. Table & Matrix – Displays data in a structured tabular format.
Advanced Visuals

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 6. Scatter Plot – Shows relationships between two numeric values.
7. Tree Map – Uses nested rectangles to represent hierarchical data.
8. Funnel Chart – Visualizes a process, such as a sales pipeline.
9. Gauge Chart – Displays performance against a target.
10.Maps (Filled Map & ArcGIS) – Used for geographical data representation

INSIGHTS AND ANALYSIS

Data Slicing and Filtering
• Slicers – Allow users to filter data interactively (e.g., selecting a date range or
category).
• Filters – Help refine datasets at different levels:
o Visual-Level Filters – Apply to a specific chart. o Page-Level Filters
– Affect all visuals on a single report page.
o Report-Level Filters – Impact all pages in the report.
b. Drill-Down and Drill-Through Analysis

• Drill-Down – Enables users to explore different data levels (e.g., from Year →
Quarter → Month).
• Drill-Through – Allows navigation to a detailed report page for in-depth analysis.
c. Data Aggregation and Measures (Using DAX)
Power BI allows users to perform calculations using DAX (Data Analysis Expressions):
• Sum, Average, Count, and Percentage Calculations o Example: Total Sales =
SUM(Sales[Revenue])
• Conditional Calculations (IF Statements)
o Example: High Sales = IF(SUM(Sales[Revenue]) > 100000, "High",
"Low")
• Running Totals and Cumulative Sums
o Example: Running Total = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Revenue]),
FILTER(ALL(Sales), Sales[Date] <= MAX(Sales[Date])))
d. Time-Based Analysis

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Power BI allows businesses to analyze trends over time using:
• Date Hierarchies (Year → Quarter → Month → Day)
• Year-over-Year (YoY) and Month-over-Month (MoM) Comparisons
• Forecasting – Using AI capabilities to predict future trends
3. AI-Powered Insights in Power BI
Power BI includes AI-driven analytics that help beginners uncover hidden patterns:
• Smart Narratives – Generates automatic explanations of trends in data.
• Decomposition Tree – Breaks down a metric into contributing factors.
• Key Influencers – Identifies factors that impact an outcome (e.g., why sales
increased or decreased).
• Anomaly Detection – Highlights unexpected data variations.
4. Identifying Business Insights Using Power BI
Some examples of how insights can be derived using Power BI:
• Sales Performance Analysis – Identifying best-selling products, regions, or time
periods.
• Customer Behavior Insights – Analyzing purchasing patterns and customer
demographics.
• Financial Performance Tracking – Monitoring revenue, expenses, and
profitability.
• Operational Efficiency – Tracking supply chain or production efficiency metrics.
5. Best Practices for Data Analysis in Power BI
• Define clear business questions before analyzing data.
• Use the right visualization to represent insights effectively.
• Validate data accuracy before drawing conclusions.
• Optimize performance by using efficient DAX calculations and filtering
techniques.
• Continuously update reports to reflect the latest trends and insights.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Automate Data Collection and Processing

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 • Connect multiple data sources (Excel, SQL, cloud platforms) to streamline
data integration.
• Use scheduled refreshes to update dashboards automatically.
• Leverage Power Automate to trigger alerts and actions based on data
changes.
b. Optimize Reporting Workflows
• Use templates for frequently used reports to reduce manual effort.
• Implement hierarchical drill-downs for better data exploration.
• Standardize naming conventions and data structures to maintain consistency.

CONCLUSION
Power BI is a powerful and user-friendly business intelligence tool that enables
users to transform raw data into actionable insights through interactive dashboards
and reports. For beginners, mastering Power BI requires understanding key
concepts such as data preparation, visualization, analysis, and performance
optimization.
By following best practices in data cleaning, model optimization, and dashboard
design, users can ensure efficient and accurate reporting. Power BI's features,
including DAX calculations, AI-driven insights, and drill-down capabilities, help in
making data-driven decisions across various industries.
Additionally, leveraging automated workflows, scheduled refreshes, and real-time
monitoring enhances operational efficiency and service improvements. As
beginners gain hands-on experience and continuously explore Power BI’s advanced
features, they can maximize its potential for business intelligence and
decisionmaking.
To excel in Power BI, beginners should:
• Practice regularly with real-world datasets.
• Explore Microsoft Learn and Power BI Community for continuous learning.
• Follow best practices for visualization, performance, and security.

• Stay updated with Power BI’s latest features and enhancements.

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With dedication and practice, Power BI beginners can evolve into skilled data
analysts, empowering their organizations with valuable insights and driving
business success.

THANK YOU

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