The connection between Power BI and Power Platform allows for the consumption of data from Power BI into Power Platform apps and solutions. This enables data visualization and analysis in Power BI, which can then be utilized in Power Platform to build custom apps, automate processes, and gain insights into business operations. The data from Power BI can be accessed and used in Power Apps and Power Automate flows through the Power BI connector. Additionally, the AI Builder models in Power Platform can consume and use data from Power BI for more advanced analytics and business insights.

Connect and Combine data from multiple sources

In Power BI, you can connect and consume data from multiple sources including Excel by using data connectors. Some popular data sources include databases (SQL Server, Oracle, etc.), cloud-based platforms (Azure, Salesforce, etc.), online services (Google Analytics, SharePoint, etc.), and many others. To connect to an Excel file, you can use the Get Data option, select the Excel option and enter the file path or URL. Once the connection is established, you can import tables, sheets or specific ranges into Power BI. You can also use Power Query to shape the data, create calculated columns, and perform other data transformations. This allows you to bring all your data together, regardless of its format or location, and create insights from a single source.

Using Power Query to Clean and Transform Data

Power Query is a data connection and transformation tool in Microsoft Power BI. It provides a graphical user interface to connect to a variety of data sources, including Excel spreadsheets, databases, web services, and cloud services. With Power Query, you can filter, sort, group, and manipulate data to clean, shape, and transform it into a format suitable for reporting and analysis. Power Query supports a wide range of data types and transformations, making it an efficient way to clean, prepare and merge data from multiple sources into a single, integrated data set. Additionally, Power Query enables you to refresh data automatically, keeping your reports up to date with the latest information. Overall, Power Query helps make the data preparation process faster and easier, enabling you to focus on analysis and insights rather than data cleanup and transformation.

Implementing Aggregate Functions

Aggregate functions are mathematical operations used to summarize data from multiple rows into a single value. In Power BI, these functions can be used to calculate things like the average, sum, count, and minimum or maximum value of a particular set of data. Common aggregate functions used in Power BI include SUM(), AVG(), COUNT(), MIN(), and MAX(). To use an aggregate function, you need to select the data you want to summarize, then select the aggregate function from the Home tab in the ribbon. The function will then be applied to the data, producing a single summarized value.

Available data source types

Power BI supports various data sources to connect and import data into the platform for analysis and reporting. Some of the commonly used data sources in Power BI include:

• Excel: Power BI allows you to connect and import data from Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, including workbooks stored on your local drive or in OneDrive or SharePoint.
• SQL Server: You can connect to and import data from SQL Server databases.
• SharePoint: Power BI supports the import of data from SharePoint lists and libraries.
• Power Apps: You can connect to and consume data from Power Apps Common Data Service (CDS) databases.
• DirectQuery: Power BI supports DirectQuery, which allows you to connect to and query data in a data source in real time.
• Cloud-based sources: Power BI supports data sources such as Salesforce, Google Analytics, and others in the cloud.
• APIs: Power BI also allows you to connect to data from APIs and web services, including REST APIs and OData services.

Use cases for shared datasets

A shared dataset is a single dataset that can be used across multiple Power BI reports. It allows a report author to create a single dataset and reuse it in multiple reports, instead of creating multiple datasets for each report. This can be useful in scenarios where the same data is used in multiple reports and updates to the data source only need to be made in one place. Shared datasets can be stored in the Power BI Service, making it easier for report authors to collaborate and share data with each other. Additionally, shared datasets support row-level security, allowing report authors to control who has access to specific data within the dataset. Some common use cases for shared datasets include reporting on a common database or data source, centralizing data management and control, and improving data consistency across reports.

Use cases for template apps

Template apps in Power Platform are pre-built, ready-to-use business applications that address common business needs. They provide a starting point for organizations to quickly build custom applications without having to start from scratch. Template apps can be customized to meet specific business requirements and can be extended to incorporate additional features and functionality. Some of the common use cases for template apps include:

• Task Management: Manage and track tasks, to-dos, and projects in a centralized location.
• Approvals: Streamline approval workflows for invoices, purchase orders, expenses, and other business requests.
• Asset Management: Track and manage assets, equipment, and tools.
• Customer Management: Store and manage customer information, interactions, and feedback.
• Lead Management: Manage leads, track their progress, and follow up on potential sales opportunities.
• Inventory Management: Track inventory levels, monitor stock movements, and manage product and supply chain operations.
• Service Management: Manage service requests, assign tasks, and track service delivery.
• Human Resources Management: Manage employee information, time-off requests, and performance evaluations.

These are just a few examples of the many use cases for template apps in Power Platform. The choice of a specific template app will depend on the specific business requirements and the desired outcome.

Options for viewing Power BI Report and Dashboards

Power BI reports and dashboards can be viewed in several ways, including:

• Power BI Desktop: The Power BI Desktop application is used to create reports and dashboards, and it also provides a way to view and interact with the content.
• Power BI Service: The Power BI Service is a web-based interface that allows users to view and interact with reports and dashboards. This service also provides collaboration and sharing capabilities, as well as the ability to embed content in other applications.
• Power BI Report Server: The Power BI Report Server is a standalone report server that provides on-premises reporting capabilities for organizations that need to keep their data and reports within their own network.
• Power BI Mobile App: The Power BI Mobile App provides a way to view reports and dashboards on mobile devices. The app is available for iOS and Android and provides offline access, data alerts, and push notifications.
• Power BI Embedded: The Power BI Embedded service provides a way to embed reports and dashboards in other applications, such as SharePoint or Teams, without requiring a separate Power BI account.