Learn to make your data talk using Power BI & Excel for free: Where to start? - A reference guide to helpful online resources.
I thank everyone for your feedback to my previous article where I had explained about the importance of learning analytics before getting into the job market. As a follow up, I would like to recommend a learning path for beginners with initial steps and courses. I also thank the awesome people for their great effort and altruism in creating these online resources which has helped and inspired me a lot.
So, Let's get started!
- Understand the difference between Power BI Desktop, Excel, Power Query and Power Pivot:
If you are an absolute beginner, this might avoid some confusion going forward. Power BI Desktop and Excel are applications to perform analytics on your data, while Power Query and Power Pivot (uses DAX language) are tools / techniques inside these applications.
- Understand Power BI Environment and its competency with other self-service BI options in the market:
I strongly recommend you to start your learning by reading this article and follow this blog for regular updates. This article will strongly fund your basic understanding on Power BI, Power Query, DAX and help you see the purpose more clearly - Why Power BI ?- sqlbi.com
- Enroll in Free Courses:
- Analyzing & visualizing data in Excel: Helps you to get started with advanced analytics in excel and teaches basic Power Query and DAX. Optional certification for $99.
- Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Power BI: Can be done simultaneously with above course. Helps you get started with Power BI, understand more about power query, DAX and also covers Power BI service. Optional certification for $99.
- Microsoft Power BI guided learning: Suited for both guided learning and learn by topic.
- Introduction to DAX: Once you are in a place to create interactive KPIs and visualizations in your dashboard, this course would be of great help.
- Courses by subscription:
Those who have subscriptions to LinkedIn learning can try numerous courses on this topic and the certificate can be added to your LinkedIn profile directly upon completion. I recommend these courses below as they offer intensive 2-3 hours of learning focusing on fundamentals.
- Subscribe Youtube Channels:
- Enterprise DNA : Contains numerous business scenarios and provide solutions using DAX – highly beneficial when you are preparing dashboards.
- Microsoft PowerBI: Updates from product developers, guest shows etc.
- Guy in a Cube: Regular updates, cover all topics related to Power BI analytics.
I would like to conclude by recommending this gem which contains reference to many helpful links available online categorized by topic: Helpful links to learn analytics with PowerBI - Daniel Calbimonte.
These are the resources that I strongly recommend from my learning experience. Please feel free to get in touch for any questions or feedback - I wish you all a happy learning!