This course is part of the Power BI for Data Storytelling ExpertTrack
Power BI Foundations: Data Preparation and Modelling for Analytics
Build in-demand Power BI skills to use in analyst and reporting roles as you learn to prepare and create effective data models.

Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
3 hours100% online
How it worksIncluded in an ExpertTrack
Course 1 of 4
Power BI Foundations: Data Preparation and Modelling for Analytics
Learn Microsoft Power BI for business intelligence
Microsoft Power BI is one of the world’s most widely used business intelligence platforms, helping organisations turn data into meaningful insights. On this three-week course, you’ll build a strong foundation in Power BI and discover how to prepare, model, and analyse data to create reliable reports.
You’ll explore the complete Power BI ecosystem, including Power BI Desktop, Service, Mobile Apps, Report Builder, Report Server, and Embedded. As you learn when and how each tool is used, you’ll also understand licensing options and how Power BI supports modern business intelligence across organisations.
Build a strong foundation in Power BI and data modelling
Creating valuable reports starts with well-prepared data. You’ll learn how to connect Power BI Desktop to a range of data sources and explore the differences between Import, DirectQuery, and Live Connection modes.
Using Power Query Editor, you’ll clean and transform raw data into analysis-ready datasets while gaining an introduction to the M language and data profiling techniques. You’ll then develop your data modelling skills by designing star and snowflake schemas, creating relationships, managing cardinality, and applying best practices that form the backbone of effective business intelligence.
Create Power BI reports with confidence
Once you’ve built your data model, you’ll put your knowledge into practice by creating a foundational Power BI report. You’ll work with cards, slicers, and core chart visuals to build clear, informative reports that help communicate insights effectively.
By the end of the course, you’ll have developed practical Power BI skills that are immediately applicable in data analyst, business intelligence, reporting, and business analyst roles.
Syllabus
Week 1
Business Intelligence and the Power BI Ecosystem
Navigating Your Power BI Journey
Kick-start your Power BI journey by discovering why it has become one of the world's leading business analytics tools. Understand its growing role in turning data into meaningful business insights.
Exploring the Foundations of Business Intelligence
Uncover the foundations of business intelligence and how data supports smarter organisational decisions. Trace the rise of self-service BI and its role in modern analytics.
Inside the Power BI Ecosystem
Discover the Power BI ecosystem and how its components work together to transform data into insights. Compare modern and traditional BI approaches while seeing how Power BI is used across industries.
Choosing the Right Power BI Environment
Set up your Power BI environment by comparing products, versions, and licensing options. Install Power BI Desktop and become familiar with the interface to start building reports with confidence.
Week 2
Data Preparation and Transformation with Power Query
Connecting and Loading Data
Connect Power BI to a variety of data sources and understand how different connectivity modes affect your reports. Learn how data is loaded, refreshed, and prepared for analysis.
Transforming Data with Power Query Editor
Shape and clean your data using Power Query Editor to create reliable datasets for analysis. Apply transformation techniques and best practices to improve data quality before modelling.
Advanced Query Techniques and Data Profiling
Build flexible queries with parameters and explore M code in the Advanced Editor. Use data profiling tools to identify and resolve quality issues before analysis.
Week 3
Building Data Models and Your First Report
Introduction to Data Modelling
Dive into the fundamentals of data modelling and discover how ER concepts translate into Power BI. Compare star and snowflake schemas to choose the right model for your data.
Relationships, Cross-Filter Directions, and Model Optimisation
Master relationship design by configuring cardinality, cross-filter directions, and active relationships. Optimise your data model to improve performance and build a strong foundation for reporting.
Validating Model with Basic Visualisation
Transform your data model into an interactive Power BI report using cards, slicers, and charts. Validate your model by ensuring visuals deliver accurate insights.
Prove you're job ready
Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.
- Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
- Complete each course and pass assessments.
- Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
- Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
- Make your career dreams a reality.
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Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Apply Power BI fundamentals to connect, load, prepare, and transform data from different sources.
- Assess data quality and connectivity requirements to select appropriate preparation and refresh strategies.
- Evaluate relationships, cardinality, and schema structures to build efficient Power BI data models.
- Create analysis-ready datasets using Power Query, parameters, M code, and data profiling techniques.
- Design structured Power BI data models and validate them through interactive reports and visualisations.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for learners building a structured foundation in Microsoft Power BI as part of their professional development in data and analytics. The primary audience includes aspiring data analysts, BI developers, and reporting specialists seeking an employer-recognised entry point into one of the most widely adopted BI platforms in the industry.
It directly supports career pathways such as Data Analyst, BI Analyst, Power BI Developer, Reporting Analyst, MIS Executive, and Business Analyst across sectors including finance, banking, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, consulting, and technology, where Power BI proficiency is now a standard hiring requirement.
The course is also relevant for business professionals in marketing, sales, finance, and operations looking to move beyond Excel-based reporting, team leads evaluating Power BI as a reporting standard, and graduates building an analytics portfolio. No prior Power BI experience is required; basic comfort with Excel and tabular data is sufficient.
What software or tools do you need?
No prior Power BI experience or paid software is required to complete this course. The course covers the required setup from the beginning, including the installation and configuration of Power BI Desktop. Learners need access to a suitable Windows computer, a stable internet connection, and a Microsoft email account to access relevant Microsoft services and Power BI features.
Who will you learn with?
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After your free trial you can:
- Pay $59 per month to keep learning online
- Have complete control over your subscription; you can cancel any time
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- Only pay while you’re learning; the subscription will cancel automatically when you finish
- Complete online assessments to test your knowledge and prove your skills
- Earn digital course certificates and a final award that you can share online, with potential employers, and your professional network
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Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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