📊 Power BI - Map of Content

What is Power BI?

Power BI is Microsoft’s business intelligence platform for connecting to data sources, transforming data (Power Query/M), modeling relationships between tables, writing calculations (DAX), and building interactive reports/dashboards. It has three main layers: Power Query (get and shape data), the Data Model (relationships, DAX calculations), and Reports (visuals, formatting, interactivity).

graph LR
    A["Data Sources
(Excel, SQL, Web, etc.)"] -->|Get Data| B["Power Query Editor
(M language, transform/clean)"]
    B -->|Load| C["Data Model
(relationships, DAX)"]
    C -->|Visualize| D["Report Canvas
(charts, slicers, pages)"]
    D -->|Publish| E["Power BI Service
(share, refresh, collaborate)"]

📂 Folder Contents

#NoteCovers
0101-Interface-OverviewDesktop UI: views, panes, ribbon
0202-Getting-Data-ConnectorsGet Data, connectors, source settings, refresh
0303-Power-Query-Editor-M-LanguageQuery Editor, M language, transformations
0404-Data-Modeling-RelationshipsRelationships, cardinality, cross-filter direction, star schema
0505-DAX-FundamentalsDAX syntax, calculated columns vs measures, context
0606-DAX-Functions-ReferenceAggregation, logical, text, date/time functions
0707-DAX-Time-Intelligence-ContextCALCULATE, filter/row context, time intelligence
0808-Calculated-Columns-Tables-MeasuresCalculated tables, measure organization, what-if parameters
0909-Visualizations-Chart-TypesChart types, when to use each, custom visuals
1010-Filters-Slicers-InteractionsFilter pane, slicers, visual interactions
1111-Formatting-Themes-Conditional-FormattingFormatting pane, themes, conditional formatting, tooltips
1212-Bookmarks-Buttons-NavigationBookmarks, buttons, drill actions, navigation
1313-Hierarchies-Groups-DrillthroughHierarchies, groups/bins, drillthrough pages
1414-Row-Level-SecurityRLS roles, USERPRINCIPALNAME, dynamic security
1515-Publishing-Power-BI-ServiceWorkspaces, apps, gateways, scheduled refresh
1616-Performance-OptimizationStar schema, aggregations, DAX performance, Performance Analyzer
1717-Common-Errors-GotchasCommon errors, circular dependencies, filter context traps

🗺️ Conceptual Map

graph TD
    A[Power BI] --> B[Get & Transform]
    A --> C[Model]
    A --> D[Analyze]
    A --> E[Visualize]
    A --> F[Share]

    B --> B1[Connectors]
    B --> B2[Power Query / M]

    C --> C1[Relationships]
    C --> C2[Star Schema]
    C --> C3[Row Level Security]

    D --> D1[DAX Measures]
    D --> D2[Calculated Columns]
    D --> D3[Time Intelligence]

    E --> E1[Charts & Visuals]
    E --> E2[Slicers & Filters]
    E --> E3[Bookmarks & Navigation]

    F --> F1[Power BI Service]
    F --> F2[Scheduled Refresh]
    F --> F3[Apps & Workspaces]

⚡ Quick Reference - Core Workflow

1. Home > Get Data > choose a connector > load or Transform Data
2. In Power Query Editor: clean/shape data (remove columns, change types, merge queries)
3. Close & Apply > lands in the Data Model
4. Model view: draw relationships between tables
5. Report view: drag fields onto the canvas, pick a visual type
6. Write DAX measures for calculations (New Measure)
7. Add slicers/filters, format visuals, arrange the page
8. Publish to the Power BI Service, set up scheduled refresh
-- A typical first measure
Total Sales = SUM(Sales[Amount])
 
Sales YTD = TOTALYTD([Total Sales], 'Date'[Date])
 
Sales Growth % =
DIVIDE([Total Sales] - [Total Sales Last Year], [Total Sales Last Year])

How to use this vault section

Same skeleton throughout: Definition -> Syntax -> Key Options -> Examples -> Notes/Gotchas. Use Ctrl/Cmd+O and type “PowerBI” or the note number to jump around.