DavidsonX: Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Power BI course Syllabus

Overview: This beginner-friendly course provides a comprehensive introduction to Microsoft Power BI, guiding learners through the full data analysis and visualization workflow. You'll learn how to connect and transform data, build interactive reports and dashboards, and share insights effectively. Designed for those transitioning from Excel, the course spans approximately 8–10 weeks with a recommended time commitment of 3–5 hours per week, combining hands-on exercises with real-world reporting scenarios.

Module 1: Introduction to Power BI

Estimated time: 6 hours

• Understand what Power BI is and its role in business analytics
• Explore the Power BI interface and core components
• Identify common data sources and use cases
• Set up Power BI Desktop and navigate the workspace

Module 2: Data Preparation and Modeling

Estimated time: 8 hours

• Import data from spreadsheets and external files
• Clean and transform data using Power Query
• Understand basics of data shaping and filtering
• Create simple relationships between data tables

Module 3: Data Visualization and Reporting

Estimated time: 8 hours

• Build bar, line, and pie charts in Power BI
• Design tables and conditional formatting
• Use maps and other visual types to show geographic data
• Apply design best practices for clarity and impact

Module 4: Interactive Reports and Filters

Estimated time: 6 hours

• Create interactive reports with cross-filtering
• Implement slicers for dynamic user control
• Organize report pages and layout for usability

Module 5: Dashboards and Insights

Estimated time: 6 hours

• Combine visuals into a centralized dashboard
• Highlight key performance indicators and trends
• Publish and share reports with stakeholders

Module 6: Final Project

Estimated time: 10 hours

• Import and clean a real-world dataset
• Build a multi-page interactive report
• Design and publish a dashboard for decision-making

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with basic Excel functions
• Basic understanding of data tables and columns
• No prior Power BI experience required

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Connect to and transform real-world data sources
• Design clear and effective data visualizations
• Build interactive dashboards for business insights
• Share reports securely using Power BI Service
• Apply foundational data modeling concepts for analysis