Get data in Power BI

Question 1

What are the different ways to get data into Power BI?

Answer 1

Connecting to data sources, transforming and cleaning the data, and loading the data into Power BI.

Question 2

What are some common data sources that Power BI can connect to?

Answer 2

Excel, SQL Server, SharePoint, Azure, and various online services.

Question 3

What tool in Power BI Desktop helps with transforming and cleaning data?

Answer 3

Power Query Editor.

Question 4

What is the purpose of data transformation in Power BI?

Answer 4

To shape and modify data into the required format for analysis.

Question 5

How do you load data into Power BI after connecting and transforming it?

Answer 5

By clicking “Close & Apply” in the Power Query Editor.

Question 6

What is the first step in the data analysis process in Power BI?

Answer 6

Getting data from various sources.

Question 7

What types of data sources can you connect to in Power BI?

Answer 7

Files (like Excel), databases (like SQL Server), online services (like Azure), and other sources (like web pages).

Question 8

What is Power Query Editor used for in Power BI?

Answer 8

Transforming and cleaning data before loading it into Power BI.

Question 9

What file types can Power BI connect to?

Answer 9

Power BI can connect to Excel, CSV, XML, JSON, and PDF files.

Question 10

How do you import data from an Excel file into Power BI?

Answer 10

Use the “Get Data” option, select “Excel,” and choose the file to load data from.

Question 11

What are the steps to connect to a CSV file in Power BI?

Answer 11

Go to “Get Data,” select “Text/CSV,” browse to the file location, and load the data.

Question 12

What is the purpose of the Navigator window in Power BI?

Answer 12

To preview and select tables or sheets from the data source before loading them.

Question 13

What are some relational databases that Power BI can connect to?

Answer 13

SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, Oracle Database, and PostgreSQL.

Question 14

What is the primary benefit of connecting Power BI to relational databases?

Answer 14

The ability to perform complex queries and load large volumes of data efficiently.

Question 15

How do you connect Power BI to a SQL Server database?

Answer 15

Use “Get Data,” select “SQL Server database,” enter the server and database details, and optionally write a query to load specific data.

Question 16

What is DirectQuery mode in Power BI?

Answer 16

A connection mode that allows real-time data querying from the source without importing data into Power BI.

Question 17

What is the purpose of parameters in Power BI?

Answer 17

To dynamically control data source settings and enhance report flexibility and reusability.

Question 18

How can parameters be created in Power BI?

Answer 18

Through the Power Query Editor, by defining a new parameter with specific data types and default values.

Question 19

What is a common use case for parameters in Power BI?

Answer 19

Changing database connections or query criteria without modifying the report.

Question 20

How do you use a parameter in a SQL query within Power BI?

Answer 20

By referencing the parameter in the query, such as using @parameterName.

Question 21

What are NoSQL databases?

Answer 21

Databases designed for large-scale data storage and for storing unstructured data.

Question 22

What are some common NoSQL databases that Power BI can connect to?

Answer 22

Azure Cosmos DB and MongoDB.

Question 23

How do you connect Power BI to an Azure Cosmos DB database?

Answer 23

Use “Get Data,” select “Azure,” then “Azure Cosmos DB,” and enter the account URL and key.

Question 24

What is the benefit of connecting Power BI to NoSQL databases?

Answer 24

To analyze and visualize large volumes of unstructured or semi-structured data efficiently.

Question 25

What are some online services that Power BI can connect to?

Answer 25

Services like Microsoft Exchange, Dynamics 365, Google Analytics, and Facebook.

Question 26

How do you connect Power BI to an online service like Google Analytics?

Answer 26

Use "Get Data," select "Online Services," choose "Google Analytics," sign in, and authorize the connection.

Question 27

What are the benefits of connecting Power BI to online services?

Answer 27

To access real-time data directly from the service, enabling up-to-date reporting and analysis.

Question 28

What type of authentication is typically required for connecting to online services in Power BI?

Answer 28

OAuth or other service-specific authentication methods.

Question 29

What are the three storage modes available in Power BI?

Answer 29

Import, DirectQuery, and Dual.

Question 30

What is the Import mode in Power BI?

Answer 30

A mode where data is imported into Power BI and stored in-memory, providing fast performance for querying.

Question 31

What is the DirectQuery mode in Power BI?

Answer 31

A mode where queries are sent directly to the data source, ensuring real-time data without storing it in Power BI.

Question 32

What is the Dual mode in Power BI?

Answer 32

A mode that allows a table to operate in both Import and DirectQuery modes, switching based on the query context.

Question 33

What is a key benefit of using DirectQuery mode?

Answer 33

Real-time data access and reduced data storage in Power BI.

Question 34

What is Azure Analysis Services?

Answer 34

A fully managed platform-as-a-service (PaaS) that provides enterprise-grade data models in the cloud.

Question 35

How do you connect Power BI to Azure Analysis Services?

Answer 35

Use "Get Data," select "Azure," choose "Azure Analysis Services," and enter the server name.

Question 36

What are the benefits of using Azure Analysis Services with Power BI?

Answer 36

Scalability, real-time data processing, and leveraging advanced data models for reporting and analysis.

Question 37

What type of models can be used with Azure Analysis Services in Power BI?

Answer 37

Both tabular and multidimensional models.

Question 38

What is the primary goal when addressing performance issues in Power BI?

Answer 38

To optimize the speed and efficiency of data retrieval and report rendering.

Question 39

What is one method to improve query performance in Power BI?

Answer 39

Reducing the amount of data loaded by filtering unnecessary rows and columns.

Question 40

How can aggregations help with performance in Power BI?

Answer 40

By summarizing detailed data into higher-level summaries, reducing query complexity.

Question 41

Why is it important to optimize DAX calculations?

Answer 41

Efficient DAX calculations minimize processing time and improve report responsiveness.

Question 42

What tool can be used to diagnose performance issues in Power BI?

Answer 42

The Performance Analyzer tool, which helps identify slow visuals and queries.

Question 43

What are common causes of import errors in Power BI?

Answer 43

Schema changes, data type mismatches, missing data, and incorrect file paths.

Question 44

How can you handle schema changes in Power BI?

Answer 44

By updating the Power Query Editor to reflect the new schema and ensuring all transformations are still valid.

Question 45

What should you do if there is a data type mismatch during import?

Answer 45

Adjust the data types in the Power Query Editor to match the expected types.

Question 46

What is a good practice to avoid missing data issues in Power BI?

Answer 46

Validate data sources regularly and implement data quality checks.