What is Power BI and how to use it
Power BI is one of the useful tools that numerous companies are starting to recognize and introduce it to their company.
The tool is designed for collecting and analyzing numerous types of datasets and has provided numerous advantages and benefits to users.
Power BI is a Microsoft-developed tool that has made the data visualization and analysis process easier for companies dealing with large datasets.
The tool offers numerous features that reduce the time it usually takes for analysts to complete a task; such features include connecting numerous datasets into a single one.
For example, EPC Group for Power BI API data source can be great to completing that.
Another feature that the tool offers is the usage of the Data Analysis Expression (DAX) model, which is used to calculate and aggravate large datasets easily and quickly by using certain formulas.
When starting to use Power BI, some employees might feel demotivated as the tool might seem complex and takes a lot of time to get used to; however, after learning how to operate the tool and take advantage of all the offered advantages, employees will understand how much beneficial the tool is and how it makes their job easier due to less time spent on technicalities.
Thus, it is important to train employees and provide them with the right resources for understanding how Power BI works.
How Does Using Power BI Help People Understand Datasets
Power BI offers a more managed and organized way of reviewing datasets alongside providing methods of calculating and testing out different statistical theories.
One of the main advantages of using Power BI is that it offers people an easy and quick solution to import all their data into the tool.
There are numerous methods that people use to import data – based on which is more convenient for their work – however, the Application Programming Interface (API) method to extract data is widely used.
The API method allows employees to import any dataset with a URL into the tool, allowing them to get a better-managed view of the dataset, alongside conducting tests using, for instance the DAX method.
On the other hand, Power BI has allowed employees to work collaboratively on a shared platform, where each employee can include their inputs for others to see, reducing the time it takes to discuss certain situations.
Lastly, Power BI helps people better understand datasets by providing them the option of automatically cleansing unusual coefficients included in the dataset.
For instance, the tool can be useful in cleansing the outliers of a dataset to understand how much their effect was on the tests and conclusions.
Step-by-step Guide Extracting Data From Power BI
As mentioned above, Power BI allows users to extract data using multiple methods. Here are some of the basic steps to fetch data from different URLs using APIs in Power BI:
1- Create And Register A Power BI Account
First of all, it is important to create a company account and insert the company ID to be able to share all the data and files with your colleagues.
Plus, make sure that the managers of the company permit the email address used to create the Power BI account to have access to all company data.
2- Get API Permission
Power BI needs certain permissions to make the datasets editable. To be able to make the best use out of the API data sourcing, it is important that users give those permissions when setting up their Power BI accounts.
With the API permissions, Power BI will be able to write, delete, edit, and read the data.
This step is important since some companies work with confidential data sent from their clients; so, to be able to work with the tool, the client needs to provide the permission or top managers who have the ability to give other permissions.
3- Find The Dataset You Wish To Extract
Now that everything is set up, users need to find the datasets that they wish to source in Power BI.
4- Copy The URL
After finding all the datasets and deciding which ones are going to be transferred into Power BI, employees need to copy the URLs to transfer them into the tool.
5- Insert The URL Into Power BI And Extract The Dataset
To insert the URLs into Power BI, users can follow these steps:
- Data Source
- Web
- Paste URLs
- Press OK
After these, the tool will automatically sort out the data and make it available for use.
Conclusion
To conclude, Power BI is starting to become a necessity for many companies, and many companies are starting to understand the importance and the advantages of the tool.
Thus, companies that heavily depend on data visualization should implement this tool into their operations.
