1. Data Modeling and Prototyping
in Power BI Desktop
Steve Wake, Principal BI Developer, Brown and Caldwell

2. Steve Wake Principal BI Developer Brown and Caldwell
Experienced BI Developer
Full stack Microsoft BI Developer, 20+ years experience. SQL Server – 2017 SSRS, SSIS and SSAS. Experience with Power BI since “Power” Excel add-ons.
Steve Wake
Principal BI Developer Brown and Caldwell
User Group Chapter Leader
Current leader of the Mile Hi Power BI User Group in Denver. Previously lead the Denver SQL Server User Group and organized 3 SQLSaturdays in Denver.
/b5lurker
@stevewake
stevenmwake

4. Agenda Data Connections Data Modeling Prototyping in Power BI Desktop
Tips & Tricks
Q&A

5. Data Connections

6. Live Connections Available for 3 sources:
Analysis Services Tabular (on-prem/Azure)
Analysis Services Multi-Dimensional
Power BI dataset
Only dataset allowed when selected, since it is already a full model

7. DirectQuery Connections
Most relational databases and other database products (full list)
May require On-Premises Data Gateway depending on implementation (for example: Snowflake)

8. Import Connections
Only connection where data is stored in Power BI model
Allows combining data from multiple different sources
Data must be refreshed in model to be up-to-date

9. Data Connections

10. Demo: Data Connections References/Links
Reference Date Table in DAX and Power BI by SQLBI (Marco Russo)
Data.gov (College Scoreboard – Most Recent Cohorts Scorecard Elements)
collegescorecard.ed.gov (College Scorecard Data Dictionary)
OPE ID (Office of Postsecondary Education Identification) List
Wikipedia – List of States in United States and Abbreviations
Wikipedia – Population of States in United States and Territories

11. Data Modeling

12. Import Connections Star & Snowflake Schemas Dimensions Facts Measures
Star
Star & Snowflake Schemas
Dimensions
Facts
Measures
Relationships
One to Many (1:M)
Many to Many (M:M)
Snowflake

13. Data Modeling

14. Prototyping in Power BI Desktop

15. Power BI Languages Power Query (M) DAX (Data Analysis eXpressions)
Power Query (M)
Data connectivity
Data preparation (ETL – Extract, Transform & Load)
DAX (Data Analysis eXpressions)
Data manipulation
Calculations
=SUMX( CALCULATETABLE('InternetSales_USD', 'DateTime'[CalendarYear]=2006) , [SalesAmount_USD])

16. Prototyping in Power BI Desktop

17. Tips and Tricks

18. Tabular models load all data into memory (Import/Dual Tables in PBI)
Data compressed on columns (typically 10:1 or more)
Querying a tabular model works by filtering data using relationships
Import/Dual datasets require refreshing if source data is changing
Use scheduled refresh/incremental refresh
Once published to PowerBI.com a dataset can be shared in other reports (and across workspaces)
Power BI Desktop and PowerBI.com run a full featured AS Tabular engine (and Excel 2016+!)

19. Q & A

21. Steve Wake
@stevewake