Power BI Quiz

How can you apply a filter to all of your charts?

"Filters on this page"

How can you share a Power BI report with users?

1. By sending them a .pbix file directly, or publishing this file to the web. 2. By letting them subscribe to the report via Outlook so they receive emails. 3. By adding the report as a tab within MS Teams, or outputting as a PowerPoint

What are two key drawbacks of the Q&A visual?

1. It cannot be published to web. 2. Your data must be intuitively named for the Q&A to work.

As a general rule, what is the maximum number of visuals for a single report tab?

4 to 6 Assuming all the visuals are of a similar size, more than 6 can start to look very cluttered.

What is a choropleth?

A geographic map with regions (or countries) that can be shaded different colors, depending on the data.

Why are KPIs trickier visuals than they might appear?

Because they reduce a series of data to a single number, and it is not always obvious to the report builder or the user what the reduction algorithm was. It is easy to produce a KPI that means one thing to you and something else to your audience.

If your chart isn't behaving as you expected, what's a quick and easy way to examine the data being fed into the chart?

Change the visual type to Table. Once you've inspected the data, you can change the visual back again. A table often lets you spot gaps or errors really quickly.

Line or area charts typically indicate what, when compared to bar charts?

Continuation in the data from one point to the next, typically over time. You wouldn't typically use a line or area chart to compare products, as lines indicate a flow of a single item between points, rather than any kind of comparison.

How should you prepare data to be imported?

Data prep outside of Power BI is not necessary, as most data sources will work seamlessly. There are many data formats that are compatible.

In drill-down mode, what button will redraw the visual at the next level of the data hierarchy, but not place any filters?

Double down arrow

After you change the background color for a chart, what else should you do?

Examine other color selections. Contrast is useful to maintain.

What data source format will you need to use in Power BI?

Excel, comma-delimited fields, or tables from any spreadsheet. Power BI is flexible and can import from many sources.

True or False: Financial and geographic are examples of hierarchical data that would suit a drill-down well?

False - Although geographic data is often hierarchical (e.g. continent > country > region), financial data is not intrinsically hierarchical.

True or False: Financial and date/time are examples of hierarchical data that would suit a drill-down well?

False - Although time/date data is often hierarchical (e.g. year > quarter > month), financial data is not intrinsically hierarchical.

True or False: When embarking on a new dashboard project, analysis should be your first consideration.

False - Analysis comes after one defines the project.

True or False: When scanning your data, you should look for accuracy and fidelity.

False - Analyzing accuracy at a glance is challenging.

True or False: When getting started with Power BI, basic and advanced are the most commonly used versions.

False - There are advanced versions, but these are not necessary to start.

True or False: You can use the standard boxplot visual to produce a histogram chart in Power BI.

False - There is no standard boxplot visual. You could try to modify the data model, and if that is not possible you can download from Appsource.

True or False: You can use the standard histogram visual to produce a histogram chart in Power BI.

False - There is no standard histogram visual.

True or False: "Filters on this visual" will apply a filter to all of your charts.

False - This selection will apply a filter to just one chart.

True or False: Importing a PDF's data into Power BI considered a "hack" method because only someone who is not computer literate would attempt to do this.

False - To the contrary, if data is only available as a PDF, any user who needs the data would want to import it to Power BI.

True or False: When you want to share a file from Power BI Desktop, access the file from Power BI Pro, and then share via cloud services.

False - Users will not be able to access a file in Power BI in this way.

True or False: Although efficiency means taking as few steps as possible, you should first test an SQL query in an application such as Visual Studio to verify the data from SQL is correct.

False - Visual Studio will not verify that the data from the SQL Server is accurate.

True or False: Importing a PDF's data into Power BI considered a "hack" method because Power Query does not directly support uploading PDFs, so you have to copy and paste the data into a CSV or Excel file.

False - While you could do this, there is a significant chance of errors.

When embarking on a new dashboard project, what should be your first consideration?

Goals This will align your work with a particular purpose.

How can a user select multiple bubbles on a bubble chart at the same time?

Hold the Ctrl button while clicking (Cmd on a Mac).

In drill-down mode, why might the single down arrow or single up arrow buttons appear to stop working?

If the user is already at the lowest or highest level of the hierarchy, respectively.

What is a Q&A visual?

It's a visual that uses AI to try to interpret user questions about their data, and answer them using the most appropriate visual.

Formatting themes can be selected in Power BI, or downloaded from the web. They can also be custom made in which format?

JSON The custom theme involves editing a JSON (Javascript object notation) file.

If you want the fastest way of importing data into Power BI, which type of data will you use?

Live data Using live data minimizes the size of data brought into Power Query, making it the fastest.

When scanning your data, what should you look for?

Organization and consistency. It is easy to spot gaps or changes in data structure.

You have a bar chart with x (ordinal) and y (numeric) data buckets. You pull the field Gender into the x data well and you can't see an option to count values for that field. You pull the same field into the y data well and you can see the option to count values. Why the difference?

Power BI will only give you the option to count a value where it is looking for a numeric output. Since y is numeric, you see the option to count. Since x is text, you don't. It is the data well in Power BI (where you drag and drop the field) that determines what you can do with the data, not the field. Y is where Power BI expects numeric data, so Y is where Power BI offers you the ability to count (thus producing numeric data).

Why is importing a PDF's data into Power BI considered a "hack" method?

Power Query does not directly support uploading PDFs, so you can instead open it as a Word document and save it as an HTML file. A "hack" is a workaround that lets you pull in the data from a PDF, even though Power BI does not support uploading the PDF itself.

When you are transposing data tables, what do you need to do with promoted headers?

Remove them, perform the Transpose function, and then promote the headers again. Because the data in the columns will change after you transpose, you remove the promoted headers and promote the new headers after transposing.

To delve more deeply into a Power BI chart, what is the most straightforward path?

Right-click and choose "Analyze". Power BI will attempt many simplifications when this option is selected.

What does a matrix visual offer over a table?

The ability to drill down easily into hierarchical data. The matrix visual automatically shows the highest level of the hierarchy with expandable sections to drill into the hierarchy.

What is one big drawback of Power BI?

There are two versions of Power BI - Desktop and Service - and they offer slightly different functionality.

Why would you want to build a dashboard?

To communicate essential data. A dashboard is just another name for a cluster of information displays.

Why might you choose a waterfall chart?

To display aggregate sales data. A waterfall chart indicates signs and extents.

Although efficiency means taking as few steps as possible, why should you first test an SQL query in an application such as Visual Studio.

To make sure the SQL code works. This seemingly additional step will actually save you time by ensuring the code you used is correct.

What is a context tooltip?

Tooltips showing data that is filtered for the item on which we are hovering.

True or False: You can use Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V (Windows) or Cmd+C, Cmd+V (Mac) to copy-paste visuals in Power BI.

True

True or False: Turning Editing Mode off is a good way to simulate the user experience.

True - By turning off editing view you access reading view, which is a good proxy for seeing what your users will see in the report.

True or False: Tooltips appear when the user hovers over part of a visual (e.g. pie segment) even when there are no fields in the Tooltip data bucket.

True - Power BI gives default tooltip information. The tooltip data bucket is for adding further data to the tooltip.

True or False: Power BI is responsive.

True - Yes, when the user resizes their window, the visuals within a report resizes immediately.

What should you consider primary in your layout design?

Visual organization An organized layout presents a good initial impression.

When getting started with Power BI, what are the most commonly used versions?

Web and Desktop - While it's best to work with Power BI desktop, you can also follow along using the web version.

True or False - Tables don't let you interact with other visuals.

False - Tables highlight and filter other visuals in the same way as matrix visuals.

True or False: When you want to share a file from Power BI Desktop, use a cloud service for sharing.

False - The Desktop version can only share files that are not in cloud form.

True or False: If your chart isn't behaving as you expected, change the visual type to Bar chart.

False - The easiest visual to use is typically the Table.

What are examples of hierarchical data that would suit a drill-down well?

1. Geographic - geographic data is often hierarchical in that you can drill down from a continent to a country to a region. 2. Date/Time - Time data can drill from year to quarter to month.

What are two ways of producing a histogram chart in Power BI?

1. Modify the data model so you can use a standard bar chart. 2. Download a custom visual for a histogram. *If possible, work with your data and use a standard visual. Otherwise you can go to Appsource.

What are some advantages of using a standard visual over a custom one?

1. Standard visuals typically cross filter other visuals. 2. Custom visuals might be developed by anyone, not just Microsoft. They might not even let users change the color of the visual. 3. Standard visuals typically support sharing methods such as export to PowerPoint and subscription via Outlook.

How can Power BI users filter?

1. Using a dropdown or checkbox set-up 2. Visually, e.g. by clicking on a pie chart segment 3. Using a filter panel

What are two drawbacks of the Q&A visual?

1. You can't publish them to the web. 2. Your data fields need to be intuitively named for users to use the Q&A easily.

We have a table with 100 non-blank rows in it and we have a KPI visual. In the Fields pane, we have a field called Gender, which can either contain Male or Female. We have currently selected Count of Gender but we are going to change to Count (Distinct). What would the KPI visual show before and after the change?

100 and then 2 Count of gender will simply count all occurrences of Male and all of Female. Since there are no blank rows, this will add up to 100. Count Distinct means it only counts each different value, so Male and Female both count as 1 each.

What is a a Power BI dashboard?

A user-generated collection of visuals, which might come from multiple reports.

True or False: If your chart isn't behaving as you expected, change the visual type to Card.

False - The easiest visual to use is typically the Table.

True or False: If your chart isn't behaving as you expected, change the visual type to KPI.

False - The easiest visual to use is typically the Table.

True or False: When scanning your data, you should look for integrity and security.

False - These cannot be evaluated through perusal.

True or False: You have to understand the different chart types really well to know which fields are allowed in which buckets.

False - This behavior is governed by the data bucket, which belongs to the particular visual you are using. Some data buckets have rules associated with them. Knowing each chart type is not enough.

Sometimes when a user drags and drops a field into a data bucket, it replaces an existing field; other times it adds a second field to the first, and sometimes part of the visual will stop working. What is the best explanation of this?

Behind the scenes, there are a series of rules behind each data bucket, which are not exposed to us. There might be a rule saying only one field can be used, for example. You just have to keep dragging and dropping and fiddling with the fields until you can infer the rule behind that data bucket.

True or False: "Filters in the document" will apply a filter to all of your charts.

False - One can choose filters on "visuals" and "pages".

True or False: Power BI Desktop is great for publishing and Power BI Service is best for dealing with data.

False - Power BI Desktop is good for DAX and data while Power BI Service is better for publishing and custom visuals.

What is a recommended process for working with Power BI Desktop and Power BI Pro?

Create your work in Power BI Desktop, and then upload the file to Power BI Pro. You should create and test your dashboards in Desktop, and then upload them to Pro. Also, this is how you can most easily update the dashboards.

True or False: When preparing data to be imported, strings and numbers should be clearly indicated.

False - Power BI can handle strings and numbers automatically.

True or False: If you want the fastest way of importing data into Power BI, you should use SQL data.

False - SQL is a database, not a type of data.

True or False: You should consider optimization of speed primarily in your layout design.

False - Speed can be limiting but is not a primary issue related to layout.

True or False: When embarking on a new dashboard project, strategy should be your first consideration.

False - Strategy is secondary to a larger objective.

True or False: If you want the fastest way of importing data into Power BI, you should use data tables.

False - Tables are used to categorize data, but are not a type of data.

True or False: You can edit Measures in Power BI Service.

False

True or False: "Filters on all charts" will apply a filter to all of your charts.

False - "All charts" is not an option.

True or False: When getting started with Power BI, live and professional are the most commonly used versions.

False - A live version is not an option.

True or False: The standard visuals for comparing proportion data are: pie charts, donut charts, bar charts, and treemaps.

False - Bar charts are not typically used to compare proportion.

True or False: After you change the background color for a chart, you should resize the vertical dimension.

False - Chart dimensions are unrelated to color.

True or False: You should choose a waterfall chart to illustrate connectivities.

False - Connectivities are best illustrated with other chart types.

True or False: You should choose a waterfall chart to show contours.

False - Contours require a more elaborate chart.

True or False: You would want to build a dashboard to prevent intrusions.

False - Dashboards are not explicitly security related.

True or False: You would want to build a dashboard to enable user interaction.

False - Dashboards can be interactive, but this is not essential.

True or False: All data buckets should behave in the same way.

False - Data buckets can behave differently for each visual. They have a set of rules behind them, which are not exposed to us.

True or False: When embarking on a new dashboard project, data should be your first consideration.

False - Data is essential but not necessarily the first priority.

True or False: To delve more deeply into a Power BI chart, bringing up a database application is the most straightforward path.

False - External applications don't need to be opened.

True or False: If you want the fastest way of importing data into Power BI, you should use extract data.

False - Extract data is put into data storage in Power BI, which is not the fastest way of importing data.

True or False: After you change the background color for a chart, you should change the fonts.

False - Fonts can be displayed in any color.

True or False: When getting started with Power BI, scripting and test are the most commonly used versions.

False - It is best to use the graphical interface.

True or False: To delve more deeply into a Power BI chart, opening Excel is the most straightforward path.

False - It is not necessary to open Excel.

True or False: Before starting to design a report, it is best to ask the end user what they want in their new report.

False - It's best to avoid asking what the user wants in their report. They often slip into telling you what their current report shows, and you miss the chance to improve things. It is more effective to focus on processes, i.e. how are the data really used.

True or False: You should consider date validity primarily in your layout design.

False - Layout and data validity are not necessarily related.

True or False: Matrix visuals let you include images in the rows, while tables don't.

False - Matrix visuals don't let you include graphics in the rows.

True or False: Financial and ordinal are examples of hierarchical data that would suit a drill-down well?

False - Neither financial nor ordinal data is intrinsically hierarchical.

True or False: It is best to not consult with the end user before starting to design a report.

False - Of course you should include all stakeholders in discussions, but if you can get a focus group of the end users you will be best placed to design a really useful report / app, which will have a longer shelf life than if you take pre-digested commissions.

True or False: You have to inspect the data and data model to understand which fields are allowed in which buckets.

False - This behavior is governed by the data bucket, which belongs to the particular visual you are using. Some data buckets have rules associated with them. Knowing the data better will not help.

True or False: Although efficiency means taking as few steps as possible, you should first test an SQL query in an application such as Visual Studio to select Import or DirectQuery.

False - This is a selection you make in Power BI after using Visual Studio.

True or False: When preparing data to be imported, one should remove sensitive information.

False - This is an unrelated issue.

True or False: When working with Power BI Desktop and Power BI Pro, create your work in Power BI Pro and then upload the file to Power BI Desktop.

False - This is difficult to do with Power BI.

True or False: Although efficiency means taking as few steps as possible, you should first test an SQL query in an application such as Visual Studio to see how the query will appear.

False - You can see how the code appears in the Power BI SQL Server database text box.

What is the best question to ask an end user group before starting to design a report?

How do they use their data/current reports? - e.g How often do they check the data? How does it feed into decisions or actions?

What does a calculator symbol next to a field name mean?

The field is a measure. This means it is calculated, based on a formula.

What does an Epsilon (Sum) symbol next to a field name mean?

The field is numeric and an actual column (not a measure).

If you are designing a report, how might you let your users launch a modal (pop-up) window to contain a single bar chart?

Use a button and a bookmark. With a button and a bookmark you can let the user launch a pop-up window. Bookmarks can be used for quite complex effects.