Microsoft Power BI is a suite of data analytics, visualization, business intelligence (BI) and reporting services and products used by teams and individuals. Power BI helps individuals convert data from a range of sources so they can create interactive dashboards and BI reports. This collection of tools is widely used by data professionals to transform raw data into actionable information. If you are unsure whether learning Power BI is right for you, consider reading on to learn more about the myriad uses of Power BI tools and techniques. Not only will studying Power BI open a number of new career opportunities, but it also has many potential personal uses.

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.

Professional Uses for Power BI

A recent survey found that Power BI was the top software of 2021, holding over a third of the market share. This suite of tools has a range of applications for professionals like Power BI Analysts, Developers, and Consultants. It’s also used by BI Developers and Data Analysts. These professionals rely on Power BI to perform a range of data tasks, like accessing large volumes of data, integrating with Excel, and creating paginated reports. The following sections will briefly explore some of the main ways Power BI is used professionally.

Access Large Volumes of Data from Different Sources

Power BI allows users to access huge volumes of data from different sources. Even data that can’t be opened using Microsoft Excel can be viewed, analyzed, and visualized with Power BI. This software relies on compression algorithms to import and cache data. It also allows users to access data sources like CSV, Excel, JSON, PDF, and XML. In addition to allowing users to connect to multiple internal and external data sources, Power BI can also be used to combine them. Streaming data can come from a range of sources, like operational metrics, factory equipment sensors, employee satisfaction measures, and customer service information. 

Integrate with Excel 

Those who work with Microsoft 365 will find it easy to connect information from Excel, such as queries, reports, and data models, into Power BI Dashboards. Users can also perform tasks like collecting, analyzing, publishing, and sharing the business data from Excel into a Power BI Dashboard so business-related data insights can be communicated in new ways. In addition to connecting with Excel, Power BI also has connectors for many other data sources, such as Azure SQL Database, Facebook, Salesforce, GitHub, MySQL database, Oracle database, and SQL Server database.

Create Paginated Reports

The Power BI service helps users create paginated reports that they can then print or share with others. These reports can also be distributed using the Power BI service. Reports are formatted so they will fit onto a standard page, which is helpful when creating forms like transcripts, invoices, or operational reports. The information contained in these reports is displayed in tabular format; some tables span several pages.

Test Content Before It’s Released

Power BI’s deployment pipeline tool allows users to test content before releasing it. This ensures that organizational content can be managed before it’s shared. It also allows Power BI users to test and further develop content before customers have access to it. Once the content has been verified, Power BI users can easily deploy datasets, dashboards, dataflows, and paginated reports to relevant stakeholders.

Work with Real-Time Information

When working with Power BI, dashboards are updated in real-time to reflect the data being streamed in or pushed. This provides users with the insights needed to immediately identify problems and opportunities. Dashboards and reports can also update and display visuals and data in real-time. Streaming data sources like time-sensitive information, social media sources, and factory sensors are some examples of data that can provide real-time analytics. This ensures that organizational decisions can be made using the most current information available and that it will flow across dashboards and apps. 

Use Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Features

Power BI allows users to design machine learning models and access text analytics and image recognition. It can also integrate with Azure Machine Learning to further extend analysis value. Microsoft AI helps those who don’t come from a technical background with tasks like preparing data and locating insights in structured and unstructured data, such as images and text. Power BI features like Quick Insights allow users to find data trends, and Q&A enables users to answer any question simply by posing the question.

Other Uses for Power BI

In addition to its many applications for data professionals, Power BI also can be used outside a job context. This family of tools can help individuals perform various personal data analytics tasks, such as keeping track of their monthly expenses and health-related information. It also has applications for keeping track of personal financial information, such as returns on investments.

Personal Data Analytics

Not only is Power BI useful across teams, divisions, and entire corporations, but it’s also a useful tool for performing personal data analysis tasks, as well as visualizing data for personal use. Those interested in keeping track of their personal data, such as expenses or health information, can use Power BI to do so. My Workplace provides a place for individuals to perform analysis on their own information without sharing it with others. If you want to use Power BI for your personal data management, you can use the self-service sign-up feature to obtain a free or trial license.

Financial Performance Analytics

Power BI is often used by professionals to perform a range of financial analytics and visualization tasks. You can also use it to keep track of your own investments, such as how stocks and bonds are performing. If you currently store your financial records in Excel, you can transfer this information into a Power BI dashboard, where you can then create a visual representation of your overall financial health.

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 is a tool used for a range of business intelligence tasks, such as connecting to data sources, analyzing and visualizing data, and presenting findings in reports and dashboards that can be shared with others. 
• Professionals in many industries rely on Power BI features to help them perform data tasks quickly and efficiently. This suite of tools includes many features that make it easy for professionals to work with structured and unstructured data, such as AI and machine learning tools, content-testing capabilities, real-time data updates, and Excel integration.
• Power BI can also be used for personal projects, such as keeping track of your monthly expenses and budget information, as well as any health-related information you store, such as records of workouts, diet material, or blood pressure.
• If you’re interested in learning Power BI, you can receive comprehensive Power BI training through Noble Desktop in the in-person or online format.