1. How would you explain what Power BI is?

In simple terms, Power BI is an enterprise Microsoft app for business analytics. Using Power BI enables you to convert several data sources unrelated to each other into comprehensive, structured data that provides you with valuable insights. The data might then be stored in an Excel spreadsheet or on the cloud, and you can share it with others.

2. What are some benefits of Power BI?

There are a few key benefits of using Power BI:

• • Its data visualization feature allows you to share insights and interactable data with others
• • Data can be analyzed quickly with Excel queries
• • You can carry out report queries with ease
• • It provides precise solutions and analysis

3. What are some disadvantages of Power BI?

Power BI doesn’t let you use large files, as its maximum file size is 1GB. 
You also can’t use many data sources that function with real-time connections, and the data cannot be cleaned easily.

4. Who are the typical users of Power BI?

In addition to business owners, Power BI is also used by business developers and business analysts.
Whereas business analysts analyze the data of a business and create graphs to present it, business owners view and examine the data using Power BI. In contrast, business developers help develop applications by incorporating data into different apps.

5. Explain what GetData is.

GetData is a feature of Power BI that enables the user to import data from its original source.

6. How is Tableau different from Power BI?

Despite both being two of the best data analytics tools, there are some critical differences between Tableau and Power BI.
Tableau can handle large data sets and is ideal for experts. It has an intricate user interface and is cloud-compatible, as well.
On the other hand, Power BI can only cope with smaller data sets, but it’s suitable for both experts and beginners, as it has a slightly more simple interface. In addition to that, Power BI doesn’t easily support cloud integrations.

7. How would you explain what DAX is?

DAX stands for data analysis expressions. These are formula languages used to carry out calculations and analyze data in Power Pivot. You can also use DAX to work out calculated columns, measures, and fields.

8. How would you explain the CALCULATE function in DAX?

CALCULATE enables the user to assess the total value of a table column and evaluates expressions in modified filter contexts. It is a feature that allows users to adjust the table and, for example, calculate revenue or sales results for specific subsets of products.

9. What is the function of filters in Power BI?

Filters enable the user to separate out critical data in columns and rows and use logical principles to filter data. Some filters you can use include auto, manual, drill-down, drill through, and URL filters.

10. What does Power BI Desktop do?

Power BI Desktop is a free downloadable application you can install on your local computer; contrary to that, Power BI is a SaaS product.
Similarly to Power BI, Desktop enables users to effortlessly visualize, transform, and share data in a report form with the organization’s stakeholders.

11. Which connectivity modes can you access in Power BI?

You can access three critical connectivity modes in Power BI, Direct Query, Live Connection, and SQL Server Import:

• • Direct Query can be used only when you choose to connect to specific data sources and stores metadata exclusively
• • Live Connection is supported by specific data sources, such as SQL Server Analysis Services, Azure Analysis Services, and Power BI Datasets
• • SQL Server Import lets you effortlessly use the entire Power BI Desktop range

12. How would you define what Power Query is and what it does?

The Power Query business intelligence tool was built by Microsoft, enabling users to import, clean, and transform data.
All that’s required is for you to write a query and, once written, run it. Its main benefit is that you can import data from various sources.

13. Explain what custom visuals are and how they are created.

With Power BI, you have the option of producing custom visualizations, which are packages that feature code to help users visualize data. To create custom visuals, you need to use specific programming languages such as JQuery.

14. How is data modeling different in Power BI Desktop compared to Pivot?

Whereas using Power Pivot for Excel can support an import model and calculated columns, in addition to a single directional relationship, Power BI Desktop has a few more functions: it offers two-way connectivity and combines the functions of both Pivot and Power Query.
Also, Power BI Desktop offers better-quality visualizations compared with Power Query.

15. Describe what a dashboard is.

The Power BI dashboard lets you view the critical elements of a story based on data and access various reports. The data is concisely presented on the dashboard, which is usually only one page long. A dashboard contains tiles that users can pin to the page to present key data insights.

16. Which types of data sources can be connected to Power BI?

Some of the critical types of data sources that can be connected to Power BI include databases such as Access, Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server, Teradata, and PostgreSQL.

17. How are manual table relationships different from automatic relationships?

There are two options for defining relationships between tables in Power BI. Users can define relationships manually by using foreign and manual key features, or they can also define relationships automatically.

18. How many active relationships are possible between tables in Power Pivot models, and how many inactive ones can they have?

In terms of the active relationships between tables, only one is possible for Power Pivot data models, represented by continuous (not broken) lines.
For inactive relationships, you can have several of them, which are characterized by dotted lines.

19. Which skills can help you use Power BI?

In addition to analytical skills, to use Power BI you also need technical knowledge and knowledge of algorithms. You also need coding, numerical reasoning, and mathematical skills. A good understanding of the principles of business intelligence will also be very helpful.