What is Power BI?
Microsoft Power BI is a data analytics and business intelligence tool that helps users create data visualizations and dashboards, as well as insightful reports.
It is a cloud-based business intelligence tool that can be used to explore data using simple drag-and-drop features. Many organizations rely on Power BI to convert data sources, visualize, analyze, and share insights.
Power BI can be used on a desktop or on a server. It can connect to a variety of data sources, including relational databases, file systems, and streaming data sources. You can also use Power BI to connect to data sources that are not supported by the built-in connectors.
Many businesses and organizations use business intelligence to run real-time analytics and create reports. The tool helps collect data from different sources, including sensors, devices, social media sources, and applications for running analysis. It also supports app navigation features that help in discovering content faster. It is a user-friendly tool that offers a secure connection to data sources.
Key Features
- Streamlined analytics
- Connects multiple data sources
- Power BI Desktop for accessing data and creating reports
- Easy to collaborate
- Supports semantic models
- Generates deep insights
- Easy implementation process
- Supports integration with multiple Microsoft products and services
- App navigation features
- Builds interactive dashboards
Power BI also offers a variety of adapters that can connect to a variety of data sources. Here is a short list of available data sources in Power BI:
- Flat Files
- Database
- Power Platform
- Azure Cloud platform
- Online Services
- Blank Query
- Other data sources such as Active Directory, Exchange, etc.
Files include JSON, XML, Text or CSV, PDF, Parquet, Excel Workbook, SharePoint folder, and folder. Database data sources include IBM Db2 database, SQL Server database, Impala, Google BigQuery, Amazon Redshift, Access database, Oracle database, MySQL database, PostgreSQL database, Sybase database, etc.
Similarly, the Power Platform category covers Dataflows, Power BI datasets, Datamarts, Dataverse, Power BI dataflows (Legacy), and Common Data Service (Legacy).
Getting Started with Connecting File Data Sources
Most people, businesses, and organizations store data in file sources. Flat-file is one of the common file types with one data table. In this file type, each row has the same structure. When using Power BI, CSV or TXT files are the most common types of files used for storing and exporting data.
Another common type of file used by organizations is Microsoft Excel workbooks. In order to connect file data sources, first and foremost it is necessary to decide which file location you want to use for exporting or storing data. You can choose from the different options, such as file locally, SharePoint Team Sites, or OneDrive.
If you use a file locally, then on importing data into Power BI, the tool will create a new dataset. But, on editing the file, no changes will be reflected in Power BI as it is stored locally.
If you use OneDrive, it will update on making changes to the files and keep the files more synchronized.
SharePoint Team Sites works similarly to OneDrive but is the first choice when working on an organizational level with Power BI.
Once you have decided where you want to store your data, you can go to the Power BI Desktop and start with the connection procedure. Open the Power BI Desktop, and click on Get Data to begin the connection process.
Now, select our file from the different file sources available on the screen. Select the file and click connect. The minute you click on the connect button, Power BI will start loading your files and begin the transformation process.
It is one of the quick and easy to connect option for analysts.
Getting Started with Connecting Relational Database Data Sources
Relational Databases (SQL Server database or an Azure SQL database) is another common data source used by organizations. SQL databases are relatively easy to use and can handle large data. Many businesses use Power BI to connect to different relational databases.
All you need to do is click on the Get Data Option and choose SQL server from the list. After selecting the SQL server, you must type in the server’s name and database from where you are wanting to pull data from. In the Advanced options section, you can write a SQL query to pull a full table or specific data.
Once you have filled in all the details, press ok and connect.
Getting Started with Connecting NoSQL Database Data Sources
NoSQL databases are not common ones but still many organizations use them in their Power BI enterprise. You can import NoSQL databases into Power BI to analyze more efficiently and get insightful reports. Further, businesses can import Azure Cosmos databases as well as JSON files into Power BI. The only thing you need to take care of is extracting data from the database and normalizing it before commencing the transformation process.
Getting Started with Connecting Power Platform Data Sources
Power BI is a business intelligence tool that helps to visualize and explore data. Power BI can connect to different data sources and it can also connect to other tools like Power Platform.
When you create a new report with Power BI, it will prompt you for the type of data source to use. You can choose from an existing connection or create a new one.
Open the Power BI Desktop and select the Get Data option visible on the screen.
Select Power platform and click on connect button to begin the connection process.
Connect to Main Data Source
In order to connect to the main data source, you will need to first create a source files connection in Power BI Desktop. This connection will allow you to access your data files from within the data window.
Once you have created the connection, you can open your data files in the data window and use the source files connection to access your data. The main benefit of using a source files connection is that it is a flexible way to access your data. You can use the source files connection to access your data from any location, and you can also access your data from any device.
Conclusion
Power BI is a suite of business analytics tools that allow users to connect data from different sources, transform and analyze data, and get insights to help make better decisions. With Power BI, businesses and organizations can create insightful reports that can be customized to show specific data sources or data types.
In short, using the Power BI platform, you can connect with several data sources, perform an in-depth analysis, and generate insightful reports for better decision making.
Power BI also offers a connection file feature that allows you to connect to a variety of data sources. Follow the above-listed step to connect with various data sources, including files, databases, power platforms, etc.
If you want to have a better understanding of how to analyze huge databases, build machine learning models, master python for data science, or master data visualization, you can join the live data science certification program by Eduonix. The programs help clear the fundamental concepts of data science and data visualization. There are also other online Power BI courses in Philippines and anywhere in the world
Also Read: accessiBe Review – AI-powered web accessibility tool for all websites
