Power BI Quickstart
Installation • Interface • Source Data • Hands-on Examples
1) Installation (Windows)
- Open Microsoft Store → search Power BI Desktop → click Get/Install.
- Alternatively, download from the official Microsoft site and run the installer.
- Launch Power BI Desktop → pick language/region if prompted.
- Optional: Sign in to enable publishing to Power BI Service.
Note: Power BI Desktop is Windows-only. On macOS, use a Windows VM (Parallels/VMware) if needed.
2) Interface Tour
- Report View: Build visuals on the canvas using fields & visual types.
- Data View: Inspect loaded tables/columns after transformations.
- Model View: Create and manage relationships (star schema encouraged).
- Ribbon: Load data, insert visuals, create measures/columns, format pages.
- Panes: Fields, Visualizations, and Filters.
| Area | What it’s for | Typical actions |
|---|---|---|
| Report View | Design & layout visualizations | Drag fields, choose charts, format |
| Data View | Inspect data after load | Column profiling, quick checks |
| Model View | Relationships & star schema | Create relationships, hide keys |
| Ribbon | Commands & tools | Get Data, Insert, Modeling, View |
| Panes | Fields, Visualizations, Filters | Assign fields, set filters/slicers |
3) Source Data & Modes
Common connectors: Excel, CSV, Web, SQL Server, SharePoint, Folder.
- Import: Data stored in PBIX for fast visuals; refresh to update.
- DirectQuery: Live queries to the source; minimal local storage.
- Live Connection: Model remains at source (e.g., SSAS/Azure AS).
4) Five Simple Examples
| # | Scenario | Connector/Mode | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Excel Sales.xlsx | Excel (Import) | Chart: Product vs Sales |
| 2 | CSV Cleanup | Text/CSV (Import) | Use first row as headers |
| 3 | Web Table | Web (Import) | Load HTML table as dataset |
| 4 | SQL FactSales | SQL Server (DirectQuery) | Live card: Total Sales |
| 5 | Folder Combine | Folder (Import) | Append monthly CSVs |
Example 1 — Excel (Import)
- Get Data → Excel → select
Sales.xlsx→ choose Sales sheet. - Load data → in Report View, choose Clustered column chart.
- Set Axis=Product, Values=Sales → format as needed.
Example 2 — CSV (Headers)
- Get Data → Text/CSV → pick
People.csv. - In Power Query → Use First Row as Headers → Close & Load.
Example 3 — Web Table
- Get Data → Web → paste a URL that contains an HTML table.
- Select the table preview → Load.
Example 4 — SQL Server (DirectQuery)
- Get Data → SQL Server → Server:
ServerName, DB:Retail. - Choose DirectQuery → select table
FactSales→ Load. - Add a Card visual → set Fields=Total Sales measure or
SalesAmount.
Example 5 — Folder (Append)
- Get Data → Folder → choose the folder with monthly CSVs.
- Click Combine → confirm sample file → review steps → Close & Load.
5) Hard Example — Star Schema + DAX
Task: Import FactSales (SalesAmount, DateKey, ProductKey) and dimensions DimDate, DimProduct. Create relationships, a Date table (if needed), and a DAX measure for Total Sales, then build a Year-over-Year (YoY) chart.