The Definitive Introduction to Power BI Desktop

A course for the absolute beginner but it’s thorough enough that most non-beginners find it valuable. Learn key techniques and proven best practices to become a serious Power BI practitioner. You’ll work with various datasets and use the techniques right in class.

Send prefered dates and group size to hello@generalBI.com.

Prerequisites

None

Audience

Business Analysts: Moving beyond Excel for data analysis, dashboards, reports, and data models. Learn fast ad-hoc reporting and insights.
Data Enthusiasts / Power Users: Comfortable with Excel and want to upskill. Eager to explore more advanced data transformation and visualization tools.
Team Leads / Managers: Don’t necessarily build reports but need to understand Power BI outputs. Interested in data-driven decision-making and KPI tracking.
IT and Database Professionals: Looking to support or integrate Power BI into existing systems. May focus on data modeling, performance tuning, or governance.
Admin Professionals: Learn about best practices for turning data into useful and impressive dashboards.
Software Developers and Database Developers: Bring your data into Power BI to meet reporting requirements using interactive, professional looking reports.

Content

Basics of Power BI Desktop
- What it does and how it works
- Key terminology related to data and Power BI
Data concepts
- Relational data
- Kimball Methodology
- Dimensional Modeling
Data transformation and cleaning techniques
- Append, Merge
- Pivot, Unpivot
- Surrogate Keys
- Duplicate, Reference
- Normalization and Denormalization
- Introduction to Data Wrangling
Data analysis with DAX (Data Analysis Expressions)
- Measures, Explicit Measures, Sum, SumX, Countrows
- Calculated Columns
- Time Intelligence
- Date Tables, CalendarAuto, Year, Quarter, Month
- Fiscal periods (e.g., April 2st fiscal year start)
Creating dashboards and interactive visuals
- Maps, Cards, Slicers, Filters
- Bar Charts, Line Charts, Pie Charts
Publishing and sharing reports

Course Setup Checklist

Power BI Desktop:
- Work computers: Install via your software center or contact your help desk.
- Personal computers: A free download link will be provided upon registration.
Computer with at least two monitors and a mouse.
The course files (download link provided when you register).

The course is incredibly valuable, and it’s clear that Darcy is an expert in Power BI with a talent for sharing his knowledge. He addressed all our questions during the training sessions and provided excellent supporting materials. I highly recommend this course to anyone starting in the Power BI world, as well as those with some prior experience. I previously took a course offered by Microsoft, but as someone without an IT background, I found some topics difficult to grasp. However, through this training session, I was able to connect many of the concepts I learned in the Microsoft course. I would rate it a 10/10. — Natalia

The course was an amazing introduction to PowerBI. All the credit to Darcy, who was engaging, patient (open to all questions and genuinely wanted to make sure everyone was keeping up), all while ensuring a practical pace for all participants. One of my co-workers was also attending and sent me a chat with "this teacher is the best" and I agree. Content and pace were perfect and the detailed step by step ppt slides will serve as a great reference in case I forget any steps. — Kana (Justice Canada)

Excellent course. Darcy was able to clearly explain how to use Power BI. I feel I am well informed to begin to create reports. — Kim G (Justice Canada)

One of the best training and trainers i've ever attended. As a very beginner to power BI, I found that his teaching style, his enthusiasm, humor, patience and kindness made everyone comfortable and at ease. He was very knowledgeable and had the ability to keep his audience engaged and interested. He was also very communicative and took the time to answer questions by email as well as during the class. The materials he provides included step by step instructions, with an understanding that some people need visuals and demonstration. I have taken other power bi courses in the past and this was the only one that made sense to me. Highly recommended! — Jade (Justice Canada)

Darcy provided us with many tools and explained many of Power BI's features in detail. He answered all our questions and repeated steps when necessary. It was entertaining and interactive, and he made sure everyone followed along and understood the concepts. I will definitely recommend this course! — Yessica (Justice Canada)

This was fantastic. Darcy did such a great job of explaining and provided a really perfect walk-through of the basic fundamentals. Thank you! — Katelyn Negin

I took Excel Level 1 yesterday with you. Very informative. You know your product and you seem very passionate about teaching as well. The overall was very interesting. I did enjoy you’re class. — Maryse Paré

Super engaging for a basics course. Loved learning pivot tables! — Brittany

I found this extremely helpful and engaging. The 2 hours flew by. — Monica

Thank you so much. I really enjoyed learning about power pivot and data query today! Your Excel enthusiasm is contagious. — Janine

Darcy is a great instructor. He’s extremely knowledgeable, engaging, and he also has a great sense of humour. I learned a lot of very useful information. Thanks! — Laurendeau

The course is incredibly valuable, and it’s clear that Darcy is an expert in Power BI with a talent for sharing his knowledge. He addressed all our questions during the training sessions and provided excellent supporting materials. I highly recommend this course to anyone starting in the Power BI world, as well as those with some prior experience. I previously took a course offered by Microsoft, but as someone without an IT background, I found some topics difficult to grasp. However, through this training session, I was able to connect many of the concepts I learned in the Microsoft course. I would rate it a 10/10. — Natalia

The course was an amazing introduction to PowerBI. All the credit to Darcy, who was engaging, patient (open to all questions and genuinely wanted to make sure everyone was keeping up), all while ensuring a practical pace for all participants. One of my co-workers was also attending and sent me a chat with "this teacher is the best" and I agree. Content and pace were perfect and the detailed step by step ppt slides will serve as a great reference in case I forget any steps. — Kana (Justice Canada)

Excellent course. Darcy was able to clearly explain how to use Power BI. I feel I am well informed to begin to create reports. — Kim G (Justice Canada)

One of the best training and trainers i've ever attended. As a very beginner to power BI, I found that his teaching style, his enthusiasm, humor, patience and kindness made everyone comfortable and at ease. He was very knowledgeable and had the ability to keep his audience engaged and interested. He was also very communicative and took the time to answer questions by email as well as during the class. The materials he provides included step by step instructions, with an understanding that some people need visuals and demonstration. I have taken other power bi courses in the past and this was the only one that made sense to me. Highly recommended! — Jade (Justice Canada)

Darcy provided us with many tools and explained many of Power BI's features in detail. He answered all our questions and repeated steps when necessary. It was entertaining and interactive, and he made sure everyone followed along and understood the concepts. I will definitely recommend this course! — Yessica (Justice Canada)

This was fantastic. Darcy did such a great job of explaining and provided a really perfect walk-through of the basic fundamentals. Thank you! — Katelyn Negin

I took Excel Level 1 yesterday with you. Very informative. You know your product and you seem very passionate about teaching as well. The overall was very interesting. I did enjoy you’re class. — Maryse Paré

Super engaging for a basics course. Loved learning pivot tables! — Brittany

I found this extremely helpful and engaging. The 2 hours flew by. — Monica

Thank you so much. I really enjoyed learning about power pivot and data query today! Your Excel enthusiasm is contagious. — Janine

Darcy is a great instructor. He’s extremely knowledgeable, engaging, and he also has a great sense of humour. I learned a lot of very useful information. Thanks! — Laurendeau