Power BI Foundations: Data Preparation and Modelling for Analytics

Learn Microsoft Power BI for business intelligence

Microsoft Power BI is one of the world’s most widely used business intelligence platforms, helping organisations turn data into meaningful insights. On this three-week course, you’ll build a strong foundation in Power BI and discover how to prepare, model, and analyse data to create reliable reports.

You’ll explore the complete Power BI ecosystem, including Power BI Desktop, Service, Mobile Apps, Report Builder, Report Server, and Embedded. As you learn when and how each tool is used, you’ll also understand licensing options and how Power BI supports modern business intelligence across organisations.

Build a strong foundation in Power BI and data modelling

Creating valuable reports starts with well-prepared data. You’ll learn how to connect Power BI Desktop to a range of data sources and explore the differences between Import, DirectQuery, and Live Connection modes.

Using Power Query Editor, you’ll clean and transform raw data into analysis-ready datasets while gaining an introduction to the M language and data profiling techniques. You’ll then develop your data modelling skills by designing star and snowflake schemas, creating relationships, managing cardinality, and applying best practices that form the backbone of effective business intelligence.

Create Power BI reports with confidence

Once you’ve built your data model, you’ll put your knowledge into practice by creating a foundational Power BI report. You’ll work with cards, slicers, and core chart visuals to build clear, informative reports that help communicate insights effectively.

By the end of the course, you’ll have developed practical Power BI skills that are immediately applicable in data analyst, business intelligence, reporting, and business analyst roles.

This course is designed for learners building a structured foundation in Microsoft Power BI as part of their professional development in data and analytics. The primary audience includes aspiring data analysts, BI developers, and reporting specialists seeking an employer-recognised entry point into one of the most widely adopted BI platforms in the industry.

It directly supports career pathways such as Data Analyst, BI Analyst, Power BI Developer, Reporting Analyst, MIS Executive, and Business Analyst across sectors including finance, banking, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, consulting, and technology, where Power BI proficiency is now a standard hiring requirement.

The course is also relevant for business professionals in marketing, sales, finance, and operations looking to move beyond Excel-based reporting, team leads evaluating Power BI as a reporting standard, and graduates building an analytics portfolio. No prior Power BI experience is required; basic comfort with Excel and tabular data is sufficient.

No prior Power BI experience or paid software is required to complete this course. The course covers the required setup from the beginning, including the installation and configuration of Power BI Desktop. Learners need access to a suitable Windows computer, a stable internet connection, and a Microsoft email account to access relevant Microsoft services and Power BI features.

This course is designed for learners building a structured foundation in Microsoft Power BI as part of their professional development in data and analytics. The primary audience includes aspiring data analysts, BI developers, and reporting specialists seeking an employer-recognised entry point into one of the most widely adopted BI platforms in the industry.

It directly supports career pathways such as Data Analyst, BI Analyst, Power BI Developer, Reporting Analyst, MIS Executive, and Business Analyst across sectors including finance, banking, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, consulting, and technology, where Power BI proficiency is now a standard hiring requirement.

The course is also relevant for business professionals in marketing, sales, finance, and operations looking to move beyond Excel-based reporting, team leads evaluating Power BI as a reporting standard, and graduates building an analytics portfolio. No prior Power BI experience is required; basic comfort with Excel and tabular data is sufficient.

• Apply Power BI fundamentals to connect, load, prepare, and transform data from different sources.
• Assess data quality and connectivity requirements to select appropriate preparation and refresh strategies.
• Evaluate relationships, cardinality, and schema structures to build efficient Power BI data models.
• Create analysis-ready datasets using Power Query, parameters, M code, and data profiling techniques.
• Design structured Power BI data models and validate them through interactive reports and visualisations.