PowerBI Zero to Hero Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
An all-in-one Power BI course that takes you from data import to advanced DAX analytics and cloud publishing, empowering you to become a BI hero. This course spans over 6 hours of hands-on learning, covering essential skills from data transformation and modeling to advanced analytics and report deployment in the Power BI Service. You'll gain practical experience through real-world exercises and build a solid foundation for a career in business intelligence.
Module 1: Getting Started with Power BI Desktop
Estimated time: 0.5 hours
- Installing Power BI Desktop and overview of the interface
- Connecting to Excel and CSV data sources
- Connecting to SQL Server databases
- Navigating the Power BI Desktop environment
Module 2: Data Transformation with Power Query
Estimated time: 1 hour
- Shaping and cleaning data using filters and transformations
- Merging and appending queries
- Unpivoting and normalizing data
- Creating reusable query parameters and custom functions
Module 3: Data Modeling & Relationships
Estimated time: 1 hour
- Defining tables and primary keys
- Creating relationships between tables
- Designing a star schema for optimal performance
- Best practices for data model design
Module 4: Introduction to DAX
Estimated time: 1 hour
- Understanding calculated columns vs. measures
- Using basic DAX functions: SUM, AVERAGE, FILTER
- Implementing time intelligence: year-to-date, moving averages
- Comparing periods and calculating growth rates
Module 5: Advanced DAX Techniques
Estimated time: 1 hour
- Understanding context transition in DAX
- Using iterator functions: SUMX, AVERAGEX
- Working with variables in DAX expressions
- Creating hierarchies and dynamic segments
- Building custom groups and conditional logic
Module 6: Report Design & Interactivity
Estimated time: 0.75 hours
- Designing interactive reports with bookmarks
- Implementing drill-through and tooltip pages
- Using slicer sync across multiple visuals
- Applying custom visuals and themes for branding
Module 7: Power BI Service & Collaboration
Estimated time: 0.75 hours
- Publishing reports to the Power BI Service
- Managing workspaces and apps
- Configuring row-level security (RLS)
- Setting up data refresh and sharing dashboards
Module 8: Performance Optimization & Best Practices
Estimated time: 0.5 hours
- Understanding query folding and its benefits
- Optimizing data models for performance
- Using the Performance Analyzer tool
- Applying governance best practices: version control, usage metrics, and documentation
Prerequisites
- Familiarity with basic Excel operations
- Basic understanding of databases and tables
- Access to a Windows machine for Power BI Desktop installation
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Connect to and transform data from diverse sources using Power Query
- Design accurate data models with proper relationships and star schema principles
- Create advanced DAX measures and calculated columns for real-world analytics
- Build interactive, visually compelling reports with bookmarks, drill-through, and slicers
- Publish, secure, and maintain reports in the Power BI Service for team collaboration