After importing data there is often a need to rearrange or update them so that we get adequate inputs on the basis of which we can make reports. Previously, to perform that, we used traditional Excel functions, and a few years ago an Excel add-in called PowerQuery was released. It offers the possibility of obtaining data from a variety of sources and the possibility of transforming them. Good News: PowerQuery is integrated in PowerBI!
Reporting dimensions are all fields that you can see in the Fields menu, which are used to populate reports. Basically, these are the columns in the table model. Also, they can be Calculated Columns or Measures. In some earlier “recipes” I talked about how to create them in PowerPivot model, and now I will show you how to do perform this in PowerBI Desktop. Also, I will mention another interesting novelty: Calculated Tables!
PowerBI Desktop has a number of tools for data visualization- visuals. They allow the data that is imported into Model to be used for creation carts, tables, variety of charts, slicers … Sometimes there is a need for specific visualization tools that are not offered in the standard range. We call them Custom visuals. You can find them all in the Office Store, download desired visual, install it, add appropriate data set and bring data to life!
Programmers usually don’t care too much for report’s look, whilst those who watch the reports equally care for their clarity and appearance (correctness is assumed). PowerBI possesses several tools that can be used for enhancing reports. In my opinion it can still be much better. Nevertheless, from version to version PowerBI development team is adding new functionalities and now it is quite better comparing its beginning.
Power BI groups enable grouping of data within visuals for more efficient reporting. Depending on the type of dimension present in the visual (category or measure), it is possible to group parts of the report by default categories (Lists) or reporting segments (Bins). It is also possible to create groups of data and as well view a group which contains other series (Others). You will find out more about this in the following „recipe“ …