Jammos Analytics

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Today we’re going to go through 5 tips on getting started in Power BI. These will be centred around new users, but even if you are a more experienced user, stick around and you might still learn something!

Let’s get into it with tip number one.

1. Keep Power BI Updated

Tip number one is one that i struggle with myself even now and that is simply to keep Power BI updated as often as possible!

Power BI has a monthly release schedule, and Microsoft publish articles every month when the update goes live.

Each update brings either new features, or improvements to existing features, plus lots of other new functionalities, so it’s a no brainer to keep it updated as much as possible.

If you’re on Windows 10, the easiest way to do it is to head into the Windows store, head to Downloads and Updates and update it there.

Otherwise, you’ll want to reinstall from https://www.powerbi.com

2. Learn the Basics of Data Modelling

Tip number two is the tip that I believe is the most useful out of the five, and that is to learn the basics of data modelling, and how to utilise having multiple tables for your data, instead of just one.

I’ve used several BI tools over the years and Power BI, more than any other, seems to benefit from using data models, rather than just using one flat file with all your information.

Data modelling can be a huge concept but just getting the basics down can have massive benefits.

Here is a great article on Data Modelling:

https://www.credera.com/insights/data-modeling-explained-in-10-minutes-or-less

3. Look Online for Help and Resources

Tip number three is one that you’re already doing right now, and that’s to look online for help and resources.

Because Power BI is obviously owned by Microsoft, and because there are so many users of the software around the world, if you’re stuck with a problem, the chances are that somebody somewhere has also had this problem
before you.

Feel free to check out for example Stack Overflow, or the Power BI Community Forum, or even my YouTube channel – there’ll probably be an answer to your problem somewhere.

Alternatively if you are still struggling, drop me a message – I may be able to help!

4. Learn the Basics of the DAX Language

Tip number four is the one that many of you are probably hoping I won’t say, but it is to learn the basics of the DAX language.

But, don’t spend loads of time learning all the different functions, just learn a few that you’ll need to use often, where that be SUM or COUNT or DIVIDE, just learn a handful.

This also ties in really well with tip 3, because you can very easily look up different DAX functions online and get what you need.

The reason that this tip is in here is because measures are the bread and butter of Power BI, and using DAX is far and away the best practice for creating them.

Power BI has the ability to create Quick Measures, don’t bother, it’s limited and it’s not best practice – learn the basics of DAX and you’ll be much
better off.

The Microsoft DAX Reference page or SQLBI are both excellent places to start.

5. Have fun with learning!

And finally tip number five, this one will be much more fun for you all – it is simply to think of a dashboard that you’d want to create for fun, and just get started!

Using the other four tips I’ve already given, you should be able to take an idea, learn what it is you’ll need to implement, and create that dashboard
over time, then iterate on it and improve it when you learn something new.

And because you’re creating it for fun, you’ll enjoy it, and learning is so much better when it’s fun.

So go out there and start creating dashboards!

If you need some inspiration, consider watching my video on creating your own Premier League table in Power BI: