Business Data Analytics & Advanced Excel · Beginner level

Beginner level · Module 4: Getting Started with Power BI · Lesson 1 of 3

Power BI and Excel

Understand what Power BI is, how its parts fit together and when it is better than Excel.

In this lesson you will

  • Describe Power BI Desktop and the Power BI service
  • Decide when Power BI suits a reporting need better than Excel

Key concepts

Power BI DesktopPower BI servicereports and dashboardswhen to choose Power BI

The lesson

Power BI Desktop is a Windows application for building reports: connecting to data, transforming it, modelling it and designing visuals. The Power BI service is the online platform for publishing, sharing and refreshing them.

Power BI suits reports shared with many people, data from several sources and large data sets that update regularly. Excel remains excellent for flexible, one-off analysis and calculations.

Many organisations use both: Excel for working files, Power BI for shared reporting.

Step by step

  1. Install or open Power BI Desktop.
  2. Explore its report, data and model views.
  3. Look at a sample report in the service if accounts allow.
  4. List reporting needs suited to each tool.

Practice activity

Write a short note recommending Excel or Power BI for three reporting needs.

Expected result: Justified recommendations for each need.

Check your understanding

  1. Where are Power BI reports built?

    Show answer

    In Power BI Desktop.

  2. When does Power BI suit reporting better than Excel?

    Show answer

    When reports are shared widely, combine several sources or refresh regularly.

Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.