Level-up your Power BI data modeling skills

Session description

After a successful webinar series on Data Modeling with Power BI, Jeroen ter Heerdt (Program Manager in the Power BI team at Microsoft) and Marc Lelijveld (Data & Analytics solution architect & Most Valuable Professional) will bring all their best practices on Data Modeling with Power BI together in this 3 hour deep-dive session. We will split the session in three sections, where we kick-off with the basics of data modeling. Then we continue with more advanced patterns to finish with expert level modeling by using all advanced features and techniques.

So, what is a good data model in Power BI? How do you make sure you have the basics in place so the model you build today, will still work next year? We talk about different modeling concepts, whether to use the data model or Power Query for transformations, the differences in calculated columns and DAX with their effects on your model and handling role-playing dimensions.

After the basics, it is time to level-up by considering more complex patterns like different types of relationships, overcoming ambiguity, and successfully implementing aggregations. Also, different types of storages modes come into play. Dealing with DirectQuery and Imported (cached) data in the same model on table level with user defined aggregations, but also hybrid tables with different storage modes in the same table. Of course, we will talk about composite models with Power BI datasets and/or (Azure) Analysis Services.

To top-off this session full of real-life examples, we will talk about calculation groups and their behavior in composite models. We make sure you finish with a list full of tips and tricks that can be directly brought to practice.

After this session you will be able to:

• Explain basic dimensional modeling concepts
• Create a well working and performing data model in Power BI
• Decide when to use Power Query vs the data model
• Decide when to use Calculated columns or measures
• Handle complex situations with inactive relationships and role-playing dimensions.
• Leverage one and bi-directional relationships
• Overcome and handle ambiguous data models
• Successfully implement aggregations
• Work with real live scenarios containing multiple fact tables
• Understand and explain different types of storage modes in Power BI
• Combine DirectQuery and import storage modes in a composite model
• Successfully implement calculation groups
• Understand calculation groups in composite models and their behavior

Jeroen ter Heerdt

Dutch Data Dude. Program Manager at Microsoft.

Jeroen ter Heerdt is a Program Manager with Microsoft. He is passionate about “all things data”; whether it is about databases, data warehousing, BI, big data, data visualizations, self-service BI, advanced analytics, real-time BI or anything even remotely related to data or insight. He strives to apply these concepts in his life as much as possible. Jeroen combines enthusiasm, vision and hands-on experience into fresh, entertaining and thought-provoking talks. His blog is http://www.dutchdatadude.com.

Marc Lelijveld

Marc is a Data Platform MVP, Power BI enthusiastic, public speaker and passionate for everything which transforms data into action! Working at Macaw in the Netherlands as a Data & AI consultant.

What I like the most? Sharing my thoughts, experience, best-practices and enthusiasm about Microsoft data platform with others. I mostly do this in public speaking at user groups, conferences, webinars or any other kind of presentation or training.

In my spare time, Marc is probably riding his mountainbike in the forest or a decent ride on the roadbike. One of his other hobbies is brewing beer, but of course also enjoying a beer.