Top Power BI Interview Questions and Answers

Power BI is a cloud-based business analytics service that simplifies the data handling experience for users. Data can be easily imported, analyzed and transformed as per the requirement. This service empowers users to create interactive visuals.

People skilled in Power BI can pursue a career as a Power BI developer, Business Intelligence Architect and Business Analyst. This article will discuss the top Power BI interview questions for those who want to build a career through this skill.

Table of Contents

• Why prepare Power BI interview questions?
• Top Power BI Interview Questions

Why Prepare Power BI Interview Questions?

With the help of Power BI, the representation of data has improved vastly. Various visualizations, such as graphs, maps, tables and KPIs. It has several useful features, including extracting insights from large data sets, creating custom visualization using Python and R, analyzing datasets in Excel, and sourcing and transforming data with Power Query. Data visualization can be performed quickly, which otherwise would have been a hectic task.

This swiftness of the tool has made it inevitable for every business. Due to this, companies employ people who can use Power BI and deliver results. If your job profile requires you to perform data visualization, then it is mandatory to become skilled at using Power BI. While practical knowledge is a must, theoretical knowledge is also required to explain the tool’s use effectively.

Top Power BI Interview Questions

The banking sector has an increasing demand for a workforce skilled in Power BI. Being skilled is great, but remember that you can only get a job after clearing the interview. On top of that, clearing the technical round is even more crucial for your selection. You can answer most of the Power BI interview questions through this article.

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Q1. What is Power BI?

Ans. Microsoft Power BI is a part of the Microsoft Power Platform. It is a business analytics service that has business intelligence capabilities. Its interactive visualizations help users to create customized dashboards and reports.

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Q2. Define filters used in Power BI reports.

Ans. There are several filters that are available in Power BI:

• Automatic filters: These filters are added automatically to the visual level of the filter pane while designing visuals. You cannot delete these filters.
• Manual filters: You can drag and drop these filters in any section of the filter pane while editing a report. You can delete these filters.
• Drill down filters: These filters are added to the filter pane while using drill-down functionality for visuals in the report. This filter cannot be deleted.
• Cross drill filters: This filter allows users to drill through from one report’s data to a separate report. You can neither edit nor remove this filter.
• Drillthrough filters: These filters are of two types. The first type invokes drill through. The second drill-through filter is passed to the target based on page-level filters of the source page. You can delete these filters.
• Pass-through filters: These are created through Q&A. You can delete these filters.

Q3. Which filters cannot be deleted?

Ans. Auto filters, drill-down filters and cross drill-down filters cannot be deleted.

Q4. What are content packs in Power BI?

Ans. Content packs allow users to share Power BI objects such as datasets, reports and dashboards with either individuals or groups.

Q5. What is Power Pivot?

Ans. This add-in allows importing large amounts of data from several sources into one workbook. Users can analyze data without the need for IT assistance.

Q6. What is a Power Query?

Ans. Power Query is a tool for extracting, transforming and loading data. You can consolidate data from multiple sources using the power query.

Q7. What is DAX?

Ans. DAX or Data Analysis Expressions, is a formula expression language that is used in BI tools, including Power BI to create custom tables, to define custom calculations and to solve data analysis problems. DAX is also a functional language since the entire code is kept within the function.

Q8. Why should you use variables in DAX?

Ans. Variables help in improving formulas since you can do more complex calculations efficiently. There is a noticeable improvement in performance, reliability and readability with the use of variables. These help in simplifying the debugging process.

Q9. Where is the data stored in Power BI?

Ans. Data is stored in two places in Power BI; Fact and Dimension tables. Fact tables contain quantitative information for analysis. Dimension tables store attributes and dimensions to describe objects stored in fact tables.

Q10. Can you access Power BI services on a private/internal service cloud?

Ans. You cannot access Power BI services on a private/ internal service cloud. You can connect to the on-premises data sources using the Power BI desktop.

Q11. Describe different connectivity modes in Power BI?

Ans. Import mode and direct query mode are two connectivity modes in Power BI. Users can import and copy data sets via Import mode in Power BI. Power BI reports connecting directly with the data source to view the current data.

Q12. How is Power BI Pro different from Power BI?

Ans. Power BI Pro has additional storage capacity and add-on features like interactive live data sources and data refresh schedules.

Q13. Define role-based usage of Power BI?

Ans.  There are four major roles in Power BI:

• Developers build streaming datasets and also custom visuals in the Power BI report.
• Designers collect, evaluate, explore and transform data to design dashboards and reports.
• Administrators are in-charge of user security, assigning Power BI admin roles and premium capacity roles.
• Consumers or End uses of Power BI get data insights through reports.

Q14. What is the difference between a Raw filter and a filter?

Ans. Raw filter is applicable only on Column whereas Filter function works on Measure.

But it is ideal to go beyond this basic answer to this Power BI interview question in the following manner.

Aspect	Raw Filter	Filter (Power BI)
Application Point	Applied at the data source or during data transformation before importing into Power BI.	Applied to visuals, tables, pages, or the entire report after data is loaded into Power BI.
Purpose	Used to filter and shape the data before it enters the Power BI data model.	Used to restrict or control the data displayed in visuals and reports within Power BI.
Data Model Impact	Does not impact the Power BI data model itself. It affects data loading and shaping.	Impacts the data model by reducing the data visible in visuals and reports without changing the underlying data.
Granularity	Typically applied at the row-level or during data extraction and cleaning.	Can be applied at various levels: visual-level, page-level, or report-level.
Example Use Cases	SQL WHERE clauses, data cleaning in Power Query Editor.	Filtering data by specific values, ranges, or conditions in visuals and reports.
Timing of Application	Applied during data preparation and loading into Power BI.	Applied during report creation or interaction with the report.
Interactivity	Primarily influences data loading and transformation processes.	Provides interactive control for users to explore and analyze data in reports.

Q15. What is Power View?

Ans. It is the data visualisation technology for creating maps, charts, graphs, and other interactive visuals. Do remember that knowledge of the tool can also be tested in Power BI interview questions.

Q16. How is Power BI different from Tableau?

Ans. Tableau is costlier in comparison with Power BI. Regarding data handling capacity, Tableau can handle unlimited data, whereas Power BI slows down while handling large amounts of data.

Q17. Can we refresh a report once it is uploaded to the cloud?

Ans. Yes, refreshing reports is possible through gateways.

Q18. What is z-order in Power BI?

Ans. This is a design strategy used for arranging visuals over shapes. This implementation method can be applied to a report comprising multiple elements.

Q19. How can we refresh data in the Power BI service?

Ans. We can refresh data through gateways in Power BI.

Q20. How many views are there in Power BI?

Ans. There are three views in Power BI. Each one has a different purpose.

1. Report view: To add visualizations and additional report pages.
2. Data view: Users can shape data through the Query editor in this view.
3. Relationship view: Relationship between datasets can be managed in this view.

Q21. How can you import data from the SQL server in Power BI?

Ans. You can import the data from SQL Server to Power BI in four simple steps.

1. In Power BI, click on Get Data
2. Select SQL server
3. Fill in the details of Server and Database
4. Click on Import/Direct Query (as per the requirement)

Please note that a number of Power BI interview questions can revolve around how well can you navigate through the tool.

Q22. Why do we need to apply general formatting to the data in Power BI?

Ans. General formatting helps users in categorizing and identifying the data. This makes data easier to work with.

Q23. Why do people prefer Power BI?

Ans. Apart from Microsoft’s credibility, the following features make Power BI stand apart from its competitors:

• Easy to set up
• Smooth user interface
• Longer trial period (60 days)
• Compatible with third-party services
• Excellent data compression capabilities
• Streamlined distribution and publication
• Hassle free incorporation of detailed R visualizations

Q35. What are the different refresh options available in Power BI?

Ans. There are mainly four refresh options available in Power BI, including:
1. Package/OneDrive Refresh: For synchronising Excel files and Power BI desktop between OneDrive and PowerBI.
2. Data/Model Refresh: For scheduling data import from every source based on either on-demand or refresh schedule.
3. Visual Container Refresh: For updating visuals of reports and visual containers once the data changes.
4. Tile Refresh: For refreshing the cache of the tiles on the dashboard whenever the data changes.

Q25. What is self-service business intelligence?

Ans. Self-service business intelligence is the data analysis process for people without technical knowledge. It supports business users, end-users and analysts to become more involved in data analysis. It allows BI users to be more independent.

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Q26. What is Power BI Desktop?

Ans. Power BI Desktop is a free application which allows users to visualize, clean and transform data. The desktop lets you connect to multiple data sources and connect them into a data model. Users can create reports using visual representations of data through charts and graphs. Users can also share reports with others through the desktop.

Q27. What are the main components of Power BI?

Ans. Power BI has six major components, which include:

• Power Query- This is a Data mash-up and transformation tool
• Power Pivot- It is an In-memory tabular data modelling tool
• Power View- Data visualization tool
• Power Map-This is a tool for 3D Geo-spatial data visualization
• Power Q&A- It is a Natural language question and answering engine
• Power BI Desktop- Companion development tool for Power BI

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Q28. From which sources can data be downloaded?

Ans. Data can be downloaded into Power BI from multiple sources including:

• Files: json, csv, xml, text, json, pbi and excel
• Database groups: SQL server, Access, SQL server analysis service, Oracle, IBM DB2, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Sybase, Teradata, SAP HANA
• Azure Group: MS Azure Data Lake Storage, MS Azure DocumentDB, MS Azure Table Storage, Azure HDInsight Spark, MS AzureHDInsight, Blob storage
• Others: Sharepoint list, Hadoop file, active directory, SQL Sentry, Zendesk Dynamics CRM online, Facebook, Google Analytics, Salesforce Objects, Github

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Q29. What is the difference between Power BI Desktop and Power BI service?

Ans.  Power Bi desktop and Power BI service have three major differences:

•  Power BI Desktop helps in developing data models and reports. There is a separate Power BI desktop for Microsoft 10.
• Power BI service monitors and analyzes ready made reports. In this version, there are limitations to working with data.
• Power BI is used as a constructor whereas the finalized file is published on Power BI Service.

Q30. Does clicking on a single data point is one among multiple visuals make a difference?

Ans. Yes, it does. Once you click on the single data point, it gets selected and is copied to the dashboard. This copied data can now be pasted anywhere as per the user’s requirement.

Q31. What are the different types of Joins in Power BI?

Ans. There are seven different types of Joins in Power BI.
1. Inner/Simple Join: If you want to display matching records from both the left and right tables.
2. Left Outer Join: If we want records from the left table and need matching records only from the right table.
3. Left Outer Join: If we want records from the right table and need matching records only from the left table.
4. Full Outer Join: If you need to display all records from both the left and right tables.
5. Left Anti: If you want to display mismatched records from the left table.
6. Right Anti: If you want to display mismatched records from the right table.

Q32. What do you mean by increment refresh?

Ans. Increment refresh is the freshly added data with no need to load or truncate the entire data.

While these are some of the questions that can be asked by an interviewer, make sure you get your basics right. Do not hesitate in case you are unable to answer a question. It is a good practice to find answers to those Power BI interview questions later on.

Q33. Explain the different types of custom visuals in Power BI.

Ans. Power BI has a rich library of custom visuals from which customized visualizations such as KPI and charts are used. Marketplace files, organizational files and custom visual files are the different sets of visuals that help in creating various visualizations.

Q33. What are the different components of Power BI?

Ans. The different components of Power BI include:
1. Power Query
2. Power View
3. Power BI Desktop
4. Power BI Website
5. Power Pivot
6. Power Map
7. Power Q&A
8. Power BI Mobile Apps

Q34. Which views are available in Power BI?

Ans. The following views are available in Power BI:

• Report view: This view displays tables in an interactive format for simplifying data analysis. Based on their view, one can create the number of reports, merge them, provide visualizations and apply such functionalities.
• Model view: The view represents every table along complex relationships. This helps in breaking complex models into simplified diagrams or set properties for all of them at once.
• Data view: Exploring, curating and viewing data tables in a data after being fed to the model.