PL-300 certification prep: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This course provides a comprehensive, hands-on introduction to Microsoft Power BI, designed to build foundational data analysis and visualization skills. Over approximately 6 weeks of structured learning with 8-10 hours of content, you'll progress from beginner to job-ready, mastering data loading, transformation, modeling, DAX, visualization, and report publishing. Each module includes practical exercises and real-world examples to reinforce learning and prepare you for the Microsoft PL-300 certification exam.
Module 1: Introduction to Power BI
Estimated time: 0.5 hours
- Understand the Power BI ecosystem (Desktop, Service, and Mobile)
- Explore key features and real-world applications
- Learn the business value of data visualization
Module 2: Data Sources and Data Loading
Estimated time: 10 hours
- Connect Power BI to sources like Excel, SQL, Web, and cloud services
- Distinguish between Import and DirectQuery modes
- Handle data refresh and connection settings
Module 3: Data Transformation with Power Query Editor
Estimated time: 10 hours
- Clean, filter, and shape data using Power Query
- Perform transformations like pivoting, merging, and splitting
- Use the M language for custom data manipulation
Module 4: Data Modeling and Relationships
Estimated time: 10 hours
- Define relationships between tables and build a logical model
- Create hierarchies and understand cardinality
- Apply star and snowflake schema concepts
Module 5: Writing DAX for Calculations and Measures
Estimated time: 10 hours
- Write calculated columns and measures using DAX
- Use functions like CALCULATE, FILTER, and SUMX
- Apply advanced DAX for time intelligence and aggregation
Module 6: Final Project
Estimated time: 10 hours
- Design and build a complete Power BI report from raw data
- Implement data modeling and DAX measures
- Publish to Power BI Service and configure dashboard sharing
Prerequisites
- Familiarity with basic data concepts and spreadsheet software
- Basic understanding of relational databases (helpful but not required)
- Access to a Windows machine for Power BI Desktop installation
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Connect to diverse data sources and load data efficiently
- Clean and transform data using Power Query for analysis
- Build robust data models with proper relationships and schemas
- Create interactive reports and dashboards with advanced visuals
- Prepare confidently for the Microsoft PL-300 certification exam