Overview
Data is now one of the most valuable assets in any organization, but the real advantage lies in the ability to transform raw data into meaningful insights that drive business decisions. This course is designed to guide participants through a complete journey of practical data analysis — beginning with powerful Excel techniques and progressing into modern Business Intelligence using Power BI.
Over the first three days, participants learn how to clean, prepare, analyze, and visualize data using Excel, Power Query, and Power BI. They will develop strong foundations in data transformation, data modeling, DAX calculations, and dashboard design — enabling them to build clear, insightful, and interactive reports.
For organizations or participants who wish to go deeper, Days 4 and 5 expand the learning into advanced Power BI modelling, advanced DAX, professional dashboard design, and data storytelling. By the end of the full program, participants will be able to build enterprise-level dashboards and communicate insights effectively using a story-driven approach.
This course is hands-on, practical, and business-focused — ensuring that every participant can directly apply the skills to real-world data challenges.
Course Objectives
By the end of the 3-Day Core Program, participants will be able to:
Excel Skills
- Clean and transform raw data into analysis-ready formats
- Use intermediate and advanced Excel functions
- Work with text, date, time, and lookup formulas
- Build pivot-based dashboards and summaries
Power Query & Data Preparation
- Automate repetitive data cleaning processes
- Combine multiple datasets using mergers and appends
- Prepare structured data for Power BI loading
Power BI Fundamentals
- Connect Excel and external data sources to Power BI
- Build data models using relationships and the star schema
- Create essential DAX measures for KPI calculations
- Design clean, interactive dashboards with filters and slicers
- Publish and share dashboards via Power BI Service
By the end of the optional 4th and 5th day, participants will additionally be able to:
Advanced Power BI & DAX
- Build advanced data models with calculated tables and optimized relationships
- Create advanced DAX measures for deep analysis (ranking, segmentation, rolling windows)
- Apply advanced time intelligence (YTD, MTD, YoY, rolling periods)
Storytelling & Professional Dashboard Design
- Apply principles of visual communication and clarity
- Build narrative-driven dashboards that highlight insights
- Use Power BI bookmarks, buttons, and advanced interactions
- Present data insights effectively to stakeholders or management
Target Audience
This course is ideal for:
Business Professionals
- Executives, managers, supervisors
- Business users responsible for reporting or decision-making
- Sales, operations, finance, HR, marketing personnel
Data & IT Professionals
- Analysts, data stewards, MIS officers
- IT staff supporting reporting or BI functions
- Junior data professionals transitioning into analytics roles
Anyone Who Wants To:
- Improve their data analysis capability using Excel
- Automate data preparation processes
- Build modern, interactive dashboards
- Upgrade from Excel reporting into Power BI
- Understand how to communicate insights clearly and effectively
No advanced technical background is required; basic Excel experience is sufficient.
Course Outline
3-Day Core ProgramExcel to Power BI: Foundations of Data Analysis
DAY 1 — Excel Data Analysis Foundations
9:00am - 10:30am
Module 1: Understanding Data & Analytical Thinking
- Types of data: structured vs messy datasets
- What makes data ready for analysis
- Workflow from raw data to insights
10:30am - 10:45am Morning Break
10:45am - 12:30pm
Module 2: Data Cleaning & Structuring with Excel
- Fixing numbers stored as text
- Removing duplicates & inconsistencies
- Standardizing text and format cleaning
12:30pm - 1:30pm Lunch Break
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Module 3: Date & Time Analysis in Excel
- Date serial logic
- SLA calculations
- Extracting Year, Quarter, Week
3:30pm - 3:45pm Afternoon Break
3:45pm - 5:00pm
Module 4： Lookups, Logic & Pivot Analysis
- VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, XLOOKUP
- IF, IFS, AND, OR functions
- PivotTables, PivotCharts, slicers
Deliverables:
- Cleaned datasets
- Pivot-based dashboard
DAY 2 - Power Query & Power BI Foundations
9:00am - 10:30am
Module 5: Power Query in Excel & Power BI
- ETL concepts: Extract, Transform, Load
- Append, merge, shape, and automate data cleaning
- Folder-based data import
10:30am - 10:45am Morning Break
10:45am - 12:30pm
Module 6: Introduction to Power BI Desktop
- Understanding interface & views
- Importing Excel and external data
- Data types, fields, and transformations
12:30pm - 1:30pm Lunch Break
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Module 7: Power BI Modeling Fundamentals
- Fact vs Dimension tables
- Creating and managing relationships
- Star schema design
3:30pm - 3:45pm Afternoon Break
3:45pm - 5:00pm
Cont’
- Star schema design
Deliverables:- Automated Power Query flows- Power BI model with relationships
DAY 3 — DAX & Visualization Fundamentals
9:00am - 10:30am
Module 8: Essential DAX
- Measures vs calculated columns
- SUM, COUNT, DISTINCTCOUNT
- Intro to CALCULATE
- KPI formula creation
10:30am - 10:45am Morning Break
10:45am - 12:30pm
Module 9: Visualization Principles
- Good vs bad charts
- Choosing the right chart type
- Color usage & clarity
12:30pm - 1:30pm Lunch Break
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Module 10 — Building Your First Power BI Dashboard
- Working with slicers, filters, drillthrough
- Designing multi-page dashboards
3:30pm - 3:45pm Afternoon Break
3:45pm - 5:00pm
Cont’
- Publishing and sharing dashboards
Deliverables:
- KPI-driven Power BI dashboard
- Published report
DAY 4 — Advanced Modeling & DAX （ Optional）
9:00am - 10:30am
Module 11: Advanced Data Modeling
- Optimization principles
- Relationship direction & cardinality
- Role-playing dimensions (e.g., Order vs Ship Date)
10:30am - 10:45am Morning Break
10:45am - 12:30pm
Module 12: Advanced DAX Techniques
- CALCULATE patterns
- FILTER, ALL, ALLEXCEPT
- Ranking & segmentation
12:30pm - 1:30pm Lunch Break
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Module 13 : Time Intelligence Mastery
- YTD, QTD, MTD
- YoY growth
3:30pm - 3:45pm Afternoon Break
3:45pm - 5:00pm
Cont’
- Rolling windows
Deliverables:
- Automated Power Query flows
- Power BI model with relationships
DAY 5 - Storytelling & Professional Dashboard Design
9:00am - 10:30am
Module 14: Storytelling & Professional Dashboard Design
- Audience-first insights
- Narrative structures (Situation, Complication, Insight, Action)
- Turning visuals into stories
10:30am - 10:45am Morning Break
10:45am - 12:30pm
Module 15: High-Impact Dashboard Design
- Layout, spacing, hierarchy
- Branding and theme consistency
- Bookmarks, interactions, navigation
12:30pm - 1:30pm Lunch Break
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Module 16: Final Project
- Build a complete BI solution
- Clean → Model → DAX → Visualize → Storytell
- 5-minute management-style presentation
3:30pm - 3:45pm Afternoon Break
3:45pm - 5:00pm
- 5-minute management-style presentation Deliverables:
Deliverables:
- Professional Power BI dashboard
- Insight narrative & presentation deck
Programme scope, delivery arrangements and suitability are confirmed during enquiry.