Devin Knight - Microsoft Power BI Quick Start Guide - Second Edition: Bring your data to life through data modeling, visualization, digital storytelling, and more

Microsoft Power BI Quick Start Guide

Second Edition

Bring your data to life through modeling, visualization, digital storytelling, and more

Devin Knight

Mitchell Pearson

Bradley Schacht

Erin Ostrowsky

BIRMINGHAM - MUMBAI

Microsoft Power BI Quick Start Guide

Second Edition

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First published: July 2018

Second Edition: October 2020

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Devin Knight is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and the President at Pragmatic Works Training. At Pragmatic Works, Devin determines which courses are created, delivered, and updated for customers, including 15+ Power BI courses. This is the tenth SQL Server and Business Intelligence book that he has authored. Devin often speaks at conferences such as PASS Summit, PASS Business Analytics Conference, SQL Saturdays, and Code Camps. He is also a contributing member to several PASS Virtual Chapters. Making his home in Jacksonville, FL, Devin is a contributor at the local Power BI User Group.

I must give thanks to God; without God in my life, I would not be as blessed as I am daily. Thanks for the amazing team of authors: Mitchell, Brad, and Erin have put in time after hours away from their families to bring this great book together. To my wife, Erin, and three children, Collin, Justin, and Lana, who were all patient during nights that daddy had to spend writing. Finally, I would like to thank Oliver Wood, the best Quidditch coach a rising star like myself could ask for. I know this will be the year we win the Quidditch cup and become champions.

Mitchell Pearson has worked as a Data Platform Consultant and Trainer for the last 8 years. Mitchell has authored books on SQL Server, Power BI, and the Power Platform. His data platform experience includes designing and implementing enterprise-level Business Intelligence solutions with the Microsoft SQL Server stack (T-SQL, SSIS, SSAS, and SSRS), the Power Platform, and Microsoft Azure.

Mitchell is very active in the community:

• Running the local Power BI User Group
• Presenting at user groups locally and virtually
• Writing blogs at www.mitchellpearson.com and creating YouTube videos for MitchellSQL

First of all, thank you to God for unending grace and mercy. Secondly, thank you to Brian Knight for giving me an incredible opportunity in the Business Intelligence field. Finally, thank you to my wife and kids for their unending encouragement and their sacrifice; without their support, I could not have contributed to this book.

Bradley Schacht is a Senior Cloud Solution Architect (Data Platform) on the Microsoft State and Local Government team based in Jacksonville, FL. Bradley has authored three other SQL Server books. As a former consultant and trainer, he uses his experience on the Microsoft data platform to help customers architect quality end-to-end solutions for every business problem encountered. Bradley gives back to the community through speaking at events such as the PASS Summit, SQL Saturdays, Code Camps, and user groups across the USA, including locally at the Jacksonville SQL Server User Group (JSSUG). He is a contributor on www.SQLServerCentral.com and blogs on his personal site, www.BradleySchacht.com .

I give thanks to God, who has blessed me with so many wonderful things in life and whom I would be lost without. Thanks to my amazing wife, Nichole, and our baby boy, Oliver. The support, encouragement, and family time you give me each and every day means more to me than you will ever know. Thanks to my co-authors, Devin, Mitchell, and Erin, who all worked hard and sacrificed to make this book possible. To everyone that has helped me throughout my career, thank you. Finally, I thank the Atlanta Braves for winning their first postseason series since 2001 and proving that dreams do come true. Please don't screw it up. I look forward to reflecting on this postseason with Oliver when he signs with the Braves in 2038.

Erin Ostrowsky is a creative and passionate lifelong learner. She began her career as a business journalist and researcher and found herself drawn to the power of beautifully visualized data analysis. After living overseas, Erin returned to the USA looking to marry her communication background with a technical focus and found a life-changing opportunity to work as a trainer for Pragmatic Works, where she focused on creating new educational materials and delivering Power BI training around the USA. Erin focuses on the Power Platform tools and loves working on teams to build business intelligence solutions that businesses use and enjoy.