How I would Learn Power BI in 2023: A Comprehensive Learning Guide for Data Enthusiasts

Adekunle Solomon
Microsoft Power BI
Published in
6 min readJul 24, 2023

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How I would Learn Power BI in 2023: A Comprehensive Learning Guide for Data Enthusiasts

Ready to Master Power BI without Spending a Dime? The vast array of free learning resources might seem overwhelming, but don’t worry — I’ve got your back, and together, we’ll create your personalized path to success!

Having started my Power BI journey in January 2023, I understand how daunting it can be to find the right materials. In this article, I’ll help you cut through the noise and discover the most effective resources for your learning experience.

By investing just a little extra effort and time, you’ll craft a tailored learning roadmap that aligns perfectly with your goals. Let me show you how to navigate the wealth of free resources, propelling you towards becoming a Power BI pro!

Dive into your Power BI adventure today and unlock the limitless possibilities it offers for your career growth and data insights!

Let’s get started on this exciting journey together

Step 1: Immerse Yourself in the World of Power BI

Welcome to the exciting world of Power BI! To kickstart your journey, immerse yourself in the vast array of Power BI content available. Follow these steps to build a solid foundation for success:

Explore Free Power BI Content: Dive into the wealth of free Power BI resources on YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Seek out content using hashtags like #powerbi to discover dashboards, visualization ideas, and DAX function explanations. While it might seem overwhelming initially, exposing yourself to this content gradually builds your understanding, much like learning a new language. With consistent exposure, clarity will emerge over time.

Listen and Learn: Just like mastering a new language, regular practice is key. Engage with Power BI content daily, spending a few minutes exploring new material. By actively listening and absorbing information, your knowledge will grow exponentially. By following this immersive approach, you’ll lay the groundwork for an empowered Power BI learning journey.

Step 2: Get a High-Level Overview

In step two, get a high-level overview of the main components within Power BI. There are three key components you need to focus on:

Power Query — Cleanse and Connect: Power Query enables you to connect to diverse data sources effortlessly. Easily clean up and transform data, and the best part? Your transformations are automatically recorded, ensuring seamless data refresh. Once your queries are ready, load the data into your dynamic Data Model.

Data Model — Organize and Relate: In the Data Model, organize and store your data for efficient analysis. Establish relationships between tables, simplifying data consolidation and unlocking powerful insights without Excel’s cumbersome lookup functions.

Visualization — Bring Data to Life: This is where the magic happens! Dive into captivating visualizations, experimenting with various options. Format your visuals creatively and discover how they interact on a report page, telling compelling data stories.

To find free Power BI content that offers a high-level overview and excellent quality, head to YouTube. Search for “Power BI start” or “how to get started with Power BI” to find informative videos guiding you through the process.

Choose one or two content creators whose style resonates with you, and supplement that with Microsoft’s free learning resources and playlists on YouTube. By gaining this high-level understanding of Power BI’s main components, you’re well on your way to mastering this powerful tool.

Step 3: Find a Practical Case

In step three, it’s time to dive deep and prioritize practice over theory. Just like learning a new language, you need to immerse yourself in Power BI by putting your skills into action. Watching long video courses won’t cut it — learn by doing!

Relate to Your Work: Look for a practical case that resonates with your work. Perhaps you already have an existing report that you can convert to a Power BI report. This connection to your real-life tasks will make the learning experience more meaningful and motivating.

Explore Challenges and Case Studies: If you don’t have a work-related case, don’t worry! There are plenty of challenges available on platforms like Kaggle and Github. These challenges offer practical scenarios to work on, allowing you to gain hands-on experience. Now that you’re working on your first Power BI report, let’s move on to step four.

Step 4: Build Your Foundational Knowledge

As you begin your Power BI journey, you’ll quickly identify areas where you need improvement or where you excel. Focus on mastering the main building blocks before diving into the vast array of functions.

Focus on the Core Concepts: For example, in DAX, concentrate on understanding essential concepts like index, row context, IF and SWITCH logic, and working with variables. These foundational elements will provide a solid base for exploring more complex functions later.

To focus on these core concepts, you can utilize free learning resources, to develop these core skills, access free introductory courses on DAX and data modeling from different websites, you can also find informative blog articles and free videos from paid courses on YouTube.

Remember, many paid courses offer free trial periods, where you can explore the content and structure before committing. Take advantage of these opportunities to enhance your foundational knowledge.

Step 5: Expand, Ask, Share

Congratulations on reaching Step 5! It’s time to expand your knowledge, ask questions, and share your insights with others. Here’s how you can continue your Power BI journey:

Follow Your Favorite Content Creators: By now, you likely have favorite content creators across different platforms. Whether it’s YouTube, LinkedIn, or other channels, explore their playlists and dive into specific topics like Power Query, DAX, or design. This targeted approach allows you to focus on areas that interest you and align with your learning journey.

Embrace Community Support: As you practice and encounter challenges, remember that you’re not alone. Reach out to the vibrant Power BI community on platforms like Reddit, Twitter, or YouTube. Ask questions, share your difficulties, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly others respond with solutions and insights. Engaging with the community will enhance your learning and provide valuable connections.

Give Back: Share Your Knowledge: As you progress and become more confident in your skills, consider giving back to the community. Teaching others is a powerful way to deepen your understanding of Power BI. Create tutorials, answer questions, or contribute to discussions. Sharing your knowledge not only helps others but also reinforces your expertise in a certain topic.

Remember, learning is a continuous journey, and every interaction with the community will enrich your Power BI experience. Keep exploring, asking, and sharing to grow your expertise further!

Your Journey Begins:

Congratulations on completing this transformative Power BI learning guide! Armed with essential steps, you’re now poised to conquer the world of data analytics with confidence.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dive into practical learning: Immerse yourself in hands-on experiences, exploring free content on YouTube and taking on real-life challenges.
  • Build a strong foundation: Focus on Power Query, Data Model, and Visualization, mastering the core concepts before diving into advanced functions.
  • Leverage the power of community: Ask questions, share your knowledge, and embrace the Power BI community’s support and insights.

Your Data-Driven Future Awaits: As a data enthusiast, business professional, or curious learner, embrace the boundless possibilities that Power BI offers. Harness your determination and growth mindset to unlock valuable insights that fuel your success.

Your Journey Continues: Stay curious, keep exploring, and unleash the full potential of data analytics. Chart a course for data-driven success, making a positive impact on your professional and personal endeavors.

Take the Next Step: Ready to embark on your data journey? Seize opportunities, broaden your expertise, and let the power of Power BI guide you to new heights. Happy analyzing!

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Adekunle Solomon
Microsoft Power BI

Google Certified Digital Marketer & Data Analyst. Expert in data-driven decision-making, optimizing marketing investments & propelling businesses into profit