Import a defined dataset
See this course’s project requirements
A locally saved interactive Power BI report with checked measures, site filters, source CSVs and a tested refresh handoff.
Keep your working files in your own notebook or software. Save a private description, checklist, and work link in My Proof.
What to include
- Two typed source queries and baseline counts.
- Inspected one-to-many relationship.
- Three explicit checked measures.
- Site slicer, cards, verification table and dated chart.
- Local report, source files and refresh handoff.
Review and revise
Use these criteria to check your work and choose what to improve.
- Rows and measures reconcile.
- Site filters affect the intended data.
- Visual labels and date ordering are clear.
- Refresh and local handoff are reproducible.
Want more background?
The idea in everyday life
Build a local interactive report for fictional workshop attendance and capacity.
A report begins with a known unit of data, not a chart.
Import a defined dataset — guided practice
Load two CSVs and confirm rows and columns before making visuals.
Use free Power BI Desktop on a supported 64-bit Windows computer; check the linked current system requirements and installation policy. No cloud sign-in, subscription or publishing is needed. Save sessions.csv and sites.csv in one stable practice folder. Sessions are S1 N Jan 15 8/10; S2 S Jan 15 6/10; S3 N Feb 15 7/10; S4 S Feb 15 5/10; S5 N Mar 15 4/10; S6 S Mar 15 9/10 (all dates 2026; values attended/capacity). Sites: N=North, S=South. Follow lessons cumulatively and save report.pbix locally. Menu/pane labels can vary slightly with monthly releases; use the named feature.
1. Open Desktop
Start a blank report. Dismiss optional sign-in prompts for this local exercise. Use Get data > Text/CSV for sessions.csv.
You should see: A preview shows six data rows and five columns.
Previewing confirms the expected source before loading.
2. Load the first table
Choose Transform Data, rename the query Sessions, and keep its five columns.
You should see: The query represents one session per row.
A meaningful table name makes later formulas readable.
3. Add the lookup
In Power Query choose New Source > Text/CSV, select sites.csv and rename the query Sites.
You should see: Two rows map N to North and S to South.
The lookup stores one label per site ID.
4. Record baseline counts
Write Sessions=6 and Sites=2 in report-checks.md.
You should see: The source counts are known before transformations.
Unexpected row counts can reveal a wrong file or delimiter.
What to finish
Two named imported queries and a row-unit/count note.
Watch for this
Treating an automatically guessed type or delimiter as verified.
How can I tell I understand it?
Complete the changed case, explain your result, and pass the three application checks.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
You’ll get an explanation for each answer. Signed in? Your results save to your account.
Pass the check. We’ll save the progress.
Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video
How to use Microsoft Power BI - Tutorial for Beginners
From Kevin Stratvert. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
Optional course overview. Follow the written steps below at your own pace.Tools, templates, and lesson sources
Tools and templates
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Sources and further reading
Explore the references behind this lesson.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Opened and inspected on 2026-09-12: Import, preparation and report building.
Access: Free public web page; no paid enrollment required.
Reuse: Public reference; link only. LifeStarter prose, exercises and files are independently authored.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Opened and inspected on 2026-09-12: Free desktop download and Windows/system requirements.
Access: Free public web page; no paid enrollment required.
Reuse: Public reference; link only. LifeStarter prose, exercises and files are independently authored.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Metadata retrieved and inspected on 2026-09-12: exact title and channel confirmed through YouTube oEmbed. Playback and full video content were not tested. Optional overview; the written lesson and supplied practice stand alone.
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