book

Data Visualization with Microsoft Power BI

by Alex Kolokolov, Maxim Zelensky

September 2024

Beginner to intermediate

416 pages

9h 31m

English

O'Reilly Media, Inc.

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Includes Quizzes

Note from Alex KolokolovNote from Maxim ZelenskyWho This Book Is ForManagers and Nontechnical ProfessionalsData AnalystsHow This Book Is OrganizedHow to Work with Practice DatasetsConventions Used in This BookUsing DatasetsO’Reilly Online LearningHow to Contact UsAcknowledgments
Power BI Key ElementsTop Menu BarWorkspace CanvasView Mode SelectorVisualizations PaneData PaneHow Power BI Builds ChartsFormat VisualChart AnatomyValue AxisCategory AxisLegendShapes and ColorsData LabelsChart TitleResponsive Mode
Chart ChoosersRankingNumber of Categories on the ChartThe Length of Category Labels and the Chart SizeDynamicsStructureCommon MistakesLine Chart for RankingBar Chart for DynamicsPie Chart for Dynamics
Column ChartStep-by-Step Guide for Column ChartStep 1: Enable and Adjust Data LabelsStep 2: Disable the Y-AxisStep 3: Customize Category Labels on the X-AxisStep 4: Edit the Chart TitleStep-by-Step Guide for the Bar ChartStep 1: Enable and Adjust Data LabelsStep 2: Disable Value Axis (X-Axis)Step 3: Customize Category Labels on the Y-AxisStep 4 (Optional): Adjust Bar HeightStep 5: Edit the Chart TitleData Filtration Challenges1. Too Small Values in the Data Labels2. Category Labels Are Not Horizontal3. Charts Cross-Filtering and Highlighting
Step-by-Step Guide for Pie and Donut ChartsStep 1: Adjust Data LabelsStep 2: Remove the LegendStep 3: Adjust the Inner Radius for the Donut ChartStep 4: Edit Chart TitleCommon MistakesRotationDetails (Hierarchical View)Timeline at the Pie or Donut
Step-by-Step Guide for a TreemapStep 1: Adjust Data Labels SizeStep 2: Display Percent of TotalStep 3: Adjust Category LabelsStep 4: Adjust ColorsStep 5: Edit Chart TitleStrengths and Weaknesses of the Treemap
Date Hierarchy: How It WorksStep-by-Step Guide for Line ChartStep 1: Customize Timeline on the X-AxisStep 2: Adjust the Y-Axis ScaleStep 3: Add Data Labels“Line Chart Family” FeaturesArea FillingMarkersApply Settings to Specific SeriesSecondary Y-AxisCombined Line and Column ChartRibbon Chart
Step-by-Step Guide for a TableStep 1: Edit Column HeadersStep 2: Adjust ValuesStep 3: Set Up Style and GridMatrix—Drill-Down TableConditional FormattingData BarsIcons and Quick Measure CalculationFont ColorCell Color / Heat MapTips for Conditional Formatting
Step-by-Step Guide for a CardStep 1: Adjust Data Label (Callout Value)Step 2: Adjust Category LabelStep 3: Add Contrasting BackgroundHow to Create Multiple CardsStep 4: Add Conditional FormattingStep 5: For Perfectionists: Put Category Label on TopNew Card

Step-by-Step Guide for a Slicer by CategoryStep 1: Define Slicer StyleStep 2: Define Selection TypeStep 3: Slicer FormattingSlicer for a Range of Values and DatesCross-Filtering
Step-by-Step Guide for a DashboardStep 1: Place KPI Cards on TopStep 2: Define Dashboard GridStep 3: Adjust the Page BackgroundStep 4: Customize the Color ThemeStep 5: Check Cross-Filtering
Answers
Step-by-Step Guide for Funnel ChartStep 1: Set the Conversion DisplayStep 2: Set ValuesStep 3: Display Category Labels Without ShorteningStep 4: Set Color-CodingStep 5: Title and “Text Box Trick” AgainPossible Mistake
Step-by-Step Guide for Setting Up a MapStep 1: Allocate Data FieldsStep 2: Add and Set Up Category LabelsStep 3: Set Up the Bubble SizeStep 4: Set Map ParametersStep 5: Give a Clear HeadlinePossible Mistakes1. Bubbles Are Difficult to Compare2. Data Labels Don’t Display Values3. Appearance of Unnecessary Pie Charts4. Mistakes in the Placement of Objects
Possible MistakeAppSource GalleryStep-by-Step Guide for Tornado ChartStep 1: Set Up Data LabelsStep 2: Adjust the Values AxisStep 3: Set Up the Y-Axis—“Group” ParameterStep 4: Customize Legend and TitleLimitations of Tornado Chart by MicrosoftTable-Based Tornado ChartStep 1: Set Conditional FormattingStep 2: Change the Left Bar Direction and the Bar ColorsStep 3: Change the Table Style and Remove the GridStep 4: Format Data LabelsBenefits of a Tornado-Style Table
Data PreparationStep-by-Step Guide for Default WaterfallStep 1: Adjust Data LabelsStep 2: Scale Y-AxisStep 3: Configure the X-Axis and Determine the Number of ColumnsLimitation of Standard Waterfall ChartSimple WaterfallTransforming Data with Power QueryStep 1: Execute the Pivot Column FunctionStep 2: Select Values ColumnStep 3: Close & ApplyStep-by-Step Guide for Simple WaterfallStep 1: Reposition FieldsStep 2: Define PillarsStep 3: Configure Data Labels and Y-AxisStep 4: Adjust Category Labels for the X-AxisBenefits of the Simple Waterfall
Bullet Chart OptionsHow to Build a Bullet ChartBullet Chart by MicrosoftBullet Chart by OKVizStep-by-Step Guide for Bullet Chart by OKVizStep 1: Switch Off the X-Axis and Switch On Data LabelsStep 2: Adjust or Turn Off the Color Coding on the Scale (States)Step 3: Setting Up the Y-AxisStep 4: Setting Up Conditional FormattingHow to Build a Vertical Bullet ChartPaid Version of Bullet Chart by OKViz
Gantt Chart by MicrosoftSimple Gantt ChartHierarchical Gantt ChartStep-by-Step Guide for Microsoft’s Gantt ChartStep 1: Adjust the Date TypeStep 2: Expand the Category AreaStep 3: Add Data LabelsStep 4: Adjust Bars: Colors and HeightStep 5 (Optional): Remove GridlinesLimitations of the Gantt Chart by MicrosoftGantt by MAQ SoftwareStep-by-Step Guide for Gantt Chart by MAQ SoftwareStep 1: Configure Category HierarchyStep 2: Adjust Area ProportionsStep 3: Customize the Time AxisStep 4: Configure Data LabelsStep 5: Customize Colors for Bar FormattingStep 6: Remove Unnecessary ElementsComparison of Gantt Charts
Data PreparationStep-by-Step Guide for Sankey Chart by MicrosoftStep 1: Allocate Data FieldsStep 2: Adjust Node PositionsStep 3: Adjust Colors for Nodes and LinksLimitation for Data LabelsCommon Mistake
Essential Criteria for a Perfect KPI CardStep-by-Step Guide for Multi-Target KPIStep 1: Define GridStep 2: Adjust Alignment for Values and Category LabelsStep 3: Adjust ValuesStep 4: Adjust FontsStep 5: Set Up Conditional Formatting for Additional MeasuresStep 6: Multiplication and Background ColorStep 7: Add a “Micro” Visualization—Bullet Chart
Answers
GaugesAdvanced Gauge by xVizKey Performance Indicator (KPI)
How to Create and Customize a ScatterplotStep 1: Allocate Data FieldsStep 2: Add Category and Value for the Bubble SizeStep 3: Add Zoom SliderStep 4: Add Play Axis and AnimationHexbin ScatterplotHow to Create and Customize Hexbin Scatterplot
Alternatives for Word CloudRating: Quantitative ComparisonStructure: Part of a WholeCross-FiltrationHow to Create and Customize a Word CloudStep 1: Disable Text RotationStep 2: Combine Split PhrasesStep 3: Adjust Text SizeStep 4: Limit the Amount of TextStep 5: Customize Chart ColorsAnother Word Cloud from AppSource
How a Decomposition Tree WorksHow to Set Up the Decomposition TreeDensityConnectorsBarsCategory Labels, Values, and HeadersSimple Alternatives to the Decomposition TreeBar Charts with Cross-FilteringMatrix with Conditional Formatting
Key InfluencersQuestions and Answers (Q&A)
Radar Chart by xVizAster Plot by Microsoft
How to Build a Chord DiagramCommon Mistake

Overview

The sheer volume of business data has reached an all-time high. Using visualizations to transform this data into useful and understandable information can facilitate better decision-making. This practical book shows data analysts as well as professionals in finance, sales, and marketing how to quickly create visualizations and build savvy dashboards.

Alex Kolokolov from Data2Speak and Maxim Zelensky from Intelligent Business explain in simple and clear language how to create brilliant charts with Microsoft Power BI and follow best practices for corporate reporting. No technical background is required. Step-by-step guides help you set up any chart in a few clicks and avoid common mistakes. Also, experienced data analysts will find tips and tricks on how to enrich their reports with advanced visuals.

This book helps you understand: