Power BI is an interactive product designed by Microsoft with applications for business intelligence and data visualization tasks. This software is included in Microsoft’s Power Platform. Once you’ve decided to learn Power BI, the next important question is how it is you plan to acquire these skills. Most students find that they learn better when they receive guided training, and there is no shortage of available options for students to receive guidance in their Power BI training. To find out more about the different Power BI training options, and what advantages and disadvantages they carry with them, read on.

What is Power BI?

Microsoft Power BI is a group of business intelligence (BI) services and products that converts data from various sources into reports, visualizations, and interactive dashboards. This allows users to share data insights with others who work at their organization or to embed them onto a website or application. One of the main benefits of working with Power BI is that it integrates with other Microsoft services and products and third-party platforms. Users can connect Power BI to Excel, Teams, SharePoint, and Exchange, among others.

Read more about what Power BI is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Power BI Skills?

Power BI is a tool for illustrating what’s happening within an organization in the present and anticipating what may transpire in the future. Because it relies on machine learning capabilities, Power BI can locate patterns in data, then draw from them to predict “what-if” scenarios. Based on these predictions, Power BI users can create forecasts and prepare for different demand patterns that may emerge. They can then communicate this information through data visualizations. Power BI is a go-to for data professionals since it can input huge stores of data that would be a struggle for other platforms to process. 

Why Training Format Matters

Choosing a Power BI training format is an important decision that can make a significant difference in your learning process. This choice will likely depend on whether you can attend in-person study or would prefer the flexibility of online coursework that can be completed remotely. Your current schedule demands will also play a factor in helping you decide whether live or on-demand coursework would be most feasible. In addition, your ultimate professional goals will also contribute to selecting a Power BI training format. 

The good news is that there are many excellent training options to choose from when selecting the type of courses most suited to your schedule and learning needs. 

Types of Training Formats

If you’re interested in learning Microsoft Power BI, you can select from both in-person and online courses. Online courses are available in the live and on-demand formats. The following sections will take a brief look at each of these learning options so you can select the one that’s best for you.

Live In-Person Classes

In-person Power BI classes are the most engaging, interactive way to acquire this skill. Participants in in-person courses receive hands-on instruction from instructors with industry experience using Power BI. This means that learners can ask questions as they arise and receive individualized guidance and support along their learning path. Students who opt for in-person coursework can access a computer lab with the most up-to-date BI software and tools. The in-person training format also provides an excellent way to connect with others on the same learning path and network. 

Because in-person Power BI study takes place in real-time in a classroom or computer lab, the students who opt for this format must live nearby to attend regularly scheduled meetings. In addition, in-person stcourses may require that participants take time off of work or rearrange their schedules to allow adequate time for commuting to and from class meetings.

Live Online Classes

Another engaging way to study Power BI is in the live online learning format. Similar to in-person study, participants in live online classes receive real-time instruction from an instructor with industry experience using Power BI. Learners have the opportunity to raise questions and receive help with difficult concepts and tasks. They can also share their computer screen with the instructor (with permission) for additional support. Since live online coursework takes place on a teleconferencing platform like Zoom, students can complete their studies from the comfort of their home or office without battling rush-hour traffic or searching for parking. This makes it a great learning option for individuals who don’t live near major cities or universities where Power BI training is offered.

When deciding whether live online Power BI training is a good option, it’s important to consider your current work schedule. Since classes take place regularly in real-time, you will need to make sure you are available to attend meetings.

On-Demand Classes

If you’re interested in studying Power BI online but cannot commit to regularly scheduled class meetings, on-demand coursework is an excellent alternative. On-demand Power BI classes are pre-recorded, which means you can complete your studies from any location with an internet connection. Asynchronous coursework also allows you to control the speed at which you complete lessons. This flexible training format is a great option for those who want to study Power BI but must balance their studies around work, travel, or personal commitments. 

Since on-demand Power BI classes are pre-recorded, students don’t have access to an instructor. This means that if you have questions as you complete lessons, you will have to find answers on your own. This is why asynchronous coursework is a good starting point in your Power BI studies, but you may wish to explore more guided learning options as you work to master more advanced data visualization or BI concepts.

Free Courses

A great way to begin learning about Microsoft Power BI is to enroll in a free class. Many top educators provide free Power BI training materials like online tutorials, study guides, YouTube channels, and video lessons. Free coursework is generally pre-recorded, which allows students to complete their studies on their own time, at their own speed, and from any location. Since no financial commitment is required, free Power BI courses provide a low-stakes way to explore this software and become familiar with its core features and functions.

Free power BI course content is pre-recorded, meaning a live instructor isn’t leading the class. This means that any questions you have about course material will have to be answered elsewhere. For this reason, it can be difficult to grasp complex Power BI skills and tools in this learning format. Free coursework is an excellent way for you to get started studying Power BI. For more guided training, or to learn this software for work projects or to change careers, you may wish to enroll in an in-person or live online course that offers more structure and support.

Depth of Training Formats 

Once you’ve decided whether you prefer studying Power BI in the in-person or online format, you will then select coursework that offers an appropriate depth of study. Power BI training is available through certificate programs, bootcamps, and introductory-level courses, each of which has its own strengths. 

Certificate Programs

Pursuing a certificate in Microsoft Power BI is a great way to acquire the skills needed to pursue a career using this software. Certificate programs are generally extended programs that last several weeks or months. They provide rigorous, hands-on training in using Power BI. Some certificates also teach related data analytics and visualization skills and tools to provide participants with a well-rounded course of study. Some certificates also offer additional support for students, such as mentoring or career counseling, which helps participants get jobs using their Power BI training. Certificates are generally the most expensive way to learn Power BI besides college study. These programs can cost several thousand dollars.

If you’re interested in learning how to analyze and visualize data, Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate provides rigorous training on various data tools and skills.

Training Bootcamps 

If you’re interested in learning Power BI but don’t have months to commit to studying, a training bootcamp is an excellent alternative. Microsoft Power BI bootcamps generally span several days or weeks. Rather than training participants in a range of data analytics and visualization tools, bootcamps offer a more focused study that allows them to master Power BI concepts and tools such as extracting and transforming data. This training is useful for those who need to plug a skills gap or to learn Power BI for a work project.

Bootcamp study is typically a more affordable study option than college or certificate programs. Some bootcamps are available for a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Participants receive hands-on training and support from experts with industry experience using Power BI. 

Noble Desktop offers an in-person and live online Power BI Bootcamp. Those enrolled in this small class receive expert instruction on visualizing data and including these visualizations in business reports. Participants also receive training on using Power Query and connecting various data sources into one relational model.

Introductory Courses

If you’re new to Power BI, introductory-level coursework is a great option. Beginner-friendly classes provide a comprehensive overview of the Power BI interface and its key features. These classes often can be completed in just a few hours or days, which makes them a good training format for those who wish to acquire basic Power BI skills but don’t have months to devote to study. Students who learn basic Power BI concepts in these classes can then progress into more advanced learning options, such as bootcamp study, to take their Power BI skills further. Some intro-level classes are taught in the live format in real-time, whereas others are pre-recorded and available asynchronously.

Another benefit of introductory Power BI classes is that they are generally a much less expensive learning option than certificates and bootcamps. These classes generally cost several hundred dollars or less. Some introductory coursework and material is also available for free online.

Learn Power BI Skills with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop's Power BI Bootcamp is a project-based course that prepares students to use Power Query. Students work with different case studies to learn how to work with various Power BI capabilities and this tool’s DAX language for creating visualizations based on their data. Another excellent learning option for those interested in working with Power BI is Noble’s Data Analytics Certificate. Those enrolled in this intensive course complete real-world projects using Microsoft Excel, Python, SQL, and Tableau and have the option of taking the Power BI Bootcamp for free. All students receive instruction from an expert instructor and one-on-one mentoring.

Key Takeaways 

• Power BI was created by Microsoft in 2014. This interactive product has a range of uses for visualizing data and performing business intelligence tasks.
• If you want to learn how to use Power BI, in-person, live online, and self-paced study options are available. In-person and live online coursework occurs in real-time, whereas self-paced study is pre-recorded and can be completed asynchronously.
• Students can select from certificate programs, bootcamp study, and introductory-level Power BI coursework. Certificates are the longest, most expensive, and most intensive learning option; bootcamps typically are shorter and more focused. Introductory courses are usually the shortest and most affordable study option, taking only hours or days to complete.
• If you’re interested in learning how to work with Power BI, Noble Desktop offers several comprehensive training options in the in-person and live online formats.