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Quest Training

Advanced Power BI: Data Modeling & DAX Training Course

Develops advanced Power BI modelling skills, from star schemas, relationships and granularity to sophisticated DAX calculations for complex business analysis.

BI · Business Intelligence & Data VisualizationAll Levels#2725ClassroomEnglish , Arabic
Duration
5 Days
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Free substitution at any time · 30+ days' notice: full refund minus 10%. Cancellation policy

Sectors:Data, Analytics & Digital TransformationCategories:Business Intelligence & Data Visualization

Course Overview

The Advanced Power BI: Data Modeling & DAX Training Course is designed for professionals who want to develop advanced capabilities in analytical data modelling, calculation design, and business intelligence reporting using Microsoft Power BI. The programme focuses on building reliable, scalable data models and developing sophisticated DAX calculations that support complex business analysis, performance measurement, financial reporting, and management decision-making. Effective data modelling is essential for producing accurate and consistent analytical results. Participants explore advanced modelling concepts, including star schema design, fact and dimension tables, relationship management, filter propagation, granularity, and the role of date tables in time-based analysis. The course explains how modelling decisions influence calculation accuracy, report performance, maintainability, and the ability to analyze information across multiple business dimensions. A major component of the programme is advanced Data Analysis Expressions (DAX). Participants develop practical skills in creating complex measures, working with filter context and row context, using iterators, applying context transition, and designing calculations that respond correctly to user selections and reporting requirements. They also explore time intelligence, ranking, percentage contribution, period comparisons, and other analytical techniques commonly required in enterprise reporting environments. The course emphasizes the relationship between data model architecture, DAX logic, and report performance. Participants learn how to investigate incorrect results, simplify calculations, evaluate alternative approaches, and apply optimization techniques to improve the responsiveness of Power BI solutions. Practical exercises demonstrate how well-designed models and efficient measures can support reliable management dashboards, financial analysis, operational reporting, and performance monitoring. By the end of the programme, participants will be better equipped to design advanced Power BI semantic models, develop reusable analytical measures, troubleshoot calculation issues, and build reporting solutions that respond to complex business requirements. These capabilities are relevant to organizations seeking to strengthen data governance, improve reporting consistency, support digital transformation, and make better use of organizational data.

Learning Objectives

  • Analyze complex business reporting requirements and translate them into appropriate data model structures and DAX calculation strategies.
  • Design advanced analytical data models using suitable fact tables, dimension tables, relationships, and star schema principles.
  • Evaluate data granularity, relationship cardinality, filter direction, and table structure to improve analytical accuracy.
  • Apply row context, filter context, and context transition to develop calculations that behave correctly under different reporting conditions.
  • Develop advanced DAX measures using functions such as CALCULATE, FILTER, SUMX, RELATED, and appropriate iterator and table functions.
  • Implement time intelligence calculations for period-to-date analysis, year-over-year comparisons, rolling periods, and other relevant business reporting requirements.
  • Design ranking, contribution, variance, ratio, and comparative measures that support financial and operational analysis.
  • Diagnose calculation discrepancies by examining relationships, filter behaviour, data types, and DAX logic.
  • Evaluate model and measure performance and apply suitable optimization techniques to improve report responsiveness.
  • Develop and validate an advanced Power BI reporting solution that integrates structured data modelling, reusable DAX measures, and business-focused analytical outputs.

Who Should Attend

This course is intended for experienced Power BI users, data analysts, business intelligence developers, reporting specialists, financial analysts, management accountants, performance management professionals, and business analysts who already understand basic Power BI functionality and want to progress to advanced data modelling and DAX development. It is particularly suitable for professionals who create complex reports, manage multiple related datasets, develop business calculations, or support recurring management reporting requirements. The programme is also relevant to finance managers, operations managers, planning and budgeting specialists, risk analysts, procurement analysts, and departmental reporting teams who need more sophisticated analytical models for financial performance, operational efficiency, budget monitoring, resource utilization, and KPI analysis. Participants responsible for developing or maintaining enterprise reporting solutions will benefit from learning how to improve model structure, calculation consistency, and report performance. IT professionals, data professionals, digital transformation teams, and management information system specialists in government entities, ministries, public sector organizations, banks, financial institutions, oil and gas companies, engineering organizations, and large corporations can also benefit from the course. Participants should have prior experience with Power BI Desktop, basic data modelling, and introductory DAX measures. Familiarity with relational data, Excel, and business reporting concepts will support successful participation.

Learning Outcomes

  • Translate advanced business intelligence requirements into appropriate semantic model designs and calculation specifications.
  • Build structured data models using fact and dimension tables, appropriate relationships, and star schema principles.
  • Evaluate relationship behaviour, data granularity, and filter propagation to resolve modelling issues.
  • Explain and apply row context, filter context, and context transition when developing DAX calculations.
  • Develop advanced measures using CALCULATE, FILTER, iterators, and other relevant DAX functions.
  • Create reusable calculations for ranking, percentage contribution, variance analysis, and business performance comparisons.
  • Implement appropriate time intelligence calculations for historical analysis and period-based reporting.
  • Troubleshoot incorrect or inconsistent measure results by investigating the model structure and DAX evaluation behaviour.
  • Identify inefficient modelling and calculation patterns and apply suitable performance improvement techniques.
  • Validate analytical calculations against source data and defined business rules.
  • Develop advanced reports that allow users to analyze performance across multiple dimensions and reporting periods.
  • Deliver a practical Power BI solution that combines advanced modelling, DAX calculations, and reliable business intelligence outputs.

Course Outline

Day 1

Advanced Data Modelling and Semantic Model Architecture

  • Reviewing the principles of analytical modelling and the role of semantic models in Power BI.
  • Designing star schemas and understanding the appropriate use of fact tables and dimension tables.
  • Evaluating data granularity, table relationships, cardinality, and filter direction.
  • Managing active and inactive relationships, including scenarios requiring USERELATIONSHIP.
  • Understanding role-playing dimensions, bridge tables, and many-to-many relationships where appropriate.
  • Designing date tables and organizing model structures to support consistent time-based analysis.
  • Practical application: Reviewing a complex business dataset and redesigning its model to improve clarity, reliability, and analytical flexibility.
Day 2

Advanced DAX Concepts and Calculation Behaviour

  • Reviewing DAX syntax, expression structure, variables, and reusable calculation patterns.
  • Understanding row context, filter context, and context transition through practical examples.
  • Applying CALCULATE and FILTER to control evaluation conditions and modify filter behaviour.
  • Using iterator functions such as SUMX and AVERAGEX to perform row-by-row calculations and aggregate results.
  • Working with table expressions, RELATED, RELATEDTABLE, and other relevant relationship-aware functions.
  • Handling blank values, data types, conditional logic, and common calculation errors.
  • Practical application: Developing and testing advanced DAX measures for sales, costs, budgets, and operational performance.
Day 3

Time Intelligence and Advanced Business Calculations

  • Establishing appropriate date tables and reviewing the requirements for time-based calculations.
  • Developing period-to-date measures, including month-to-date, quarter-to-date, and year-to-date calculations.
  • Comparing current and previous periods using suitable time intelligence techniques.
  • Calculating year-over-year changes, growth rates, rolling periods, and cumulative performance.
  • Developing ranking measures, percentage contribution, share of total, and comparative performance indicators.
  • Creating variance analysis measures for actual versus budget, target, or previous-period results.
  • Practical application: Building an analytical measure set for financial or operational performance reporting and validating the results across multiple periods.
Day 4

DAX Optimization, Troubleshooting, and Model Performance

  • Identifying common causes of incorrect DAX results and unexpected filter interactions.
  • Troubleshooting relationship issues, ambiguous filter paths, inactive relationships, and inconsistent granularity.
  • Reviewing alternative DAX expressions to improve readability, maintainability, and calculation efficiency.
  • Using variables and appropriate calculation patterns to simplify complex measures.
  • Understanding the performance implications of calculated columns, measures, model size, and data preparation decisions.
  • Applying practical performance analysis and optimization techniques within the available Power BI environment.
  • Practical application: Diagnosing a set of calculation and performance issues, then refining the model and DAX measures to improve reliability and responsiveness.
Day 5

Advanced Reporting Solution and Implementation Workshop

  • Integrating advanced data modelling and DAX measures into a structured reporting solution.
  • Designing analytical report pages for financial, operational, and executive performance monitoring.
  • Applying slicers, drill-through, cross-filtering, and interactive analysis to support detailed investigation.
  • Validating measures against source data, business definitions, and expected reporting results.
  • Reviewing model documentation, calculation definitions, naming conventions, and maintenance practices.
  • Assessing publishing, access control, refresh requirements, and governance considerations within the organization’s Power BI environment.
  • Final workshop: Developing an advanced Power BI solution that includes a structured semantic model, complex DAX measures, time-based analysis, KPI reporting, performance validation, and a presentation of findings and recommendations for management decision-making.

Upcoming Dates

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Dubai · 17 – 21 Jan 2027 · Classroom

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SalalahScheduled
2 – 6 Nov 2026€5,300—
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ParisScheduled
9 – 13 Nov 2026€5,700—
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AmmanScheduled
15 – 19 Nov 2026€3,100—
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AmsterdamScheduled
23 – 27 Nov 2026€5,400€4,860until 2 Nov
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Sharm El-SheikhScheduled
23 – 27 Nov 2026€4,300€3,870until 2 Nov
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BakuScheduled
30 Nov – 4 Dec 2026€4,800€4,320until 9 Nov
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BangkokScheduled
7 – 11 Dec 2026€6,100€5,490until 16 Nov
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BarcelonaScheduled
7 – 11 Dec 2026€5,400€4,860until 16 Nov
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BerlinScheduled
14 – 18 Dec 2026€5,800€5,220until 23 Nov
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ViennaScheduled
14 – 18 Dec 2026€5,700€5,130until 23 Nov
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CairoScheduled
21 – 25 Dec 2026€3,300€2,970until 30 Nov
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AbujaScheduled
28 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027€5,100€4,590until 7 Dec
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CasablancaScheduled
28 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027€4,300€3,870until 7 Dec
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DammamScheduled
4 – 8 Jan 2027€4,200€3,780until 14 Dec
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DohaScheduled
11 – 15 Jan 2027€4,400€3,960until 21 Dec
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DubaiScheduled
17 – 21 Jan 2027€4,400€3,960until 28 Dec
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FrankfurtScheduled
18 – 22 Jan 2027€5,800€5,220until 28 Dec
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AccraScheduled
18 – 22 Jan 2027€5,100€4,590until 28 Dec
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GenevaScheduled
25 – 29 Jan 2027€6,300€5,670until 4 Jan
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HamburgScheduled
1 – 5 Feb 2027€5,800€5,220until 11 Jan
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BeirutScheduled
7 – 11 Feb 2027€4,000€3,600until 18 Jan
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IstanbulScheduled
8 – 12 Feb 2027€4,700€4,230until 18 Jan
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JeddahScheduled
14 – 18 Feb 2027€4,200€3,780until 25 Jan
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Kuala LumpurScheduled
22 – 26 Feb 2027€4,400€3,960until 1 Feb
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LisbonScheduled
1 – 5 Mar 2027€5,400€4,860until 8 Feb
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Cape TownScheduled
1 – 5 Mar 2027€5,100€4,590until 8 Feb
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MadinahScheduled
8 – 12 Mar 2027€4,200€3,780until 15 Feb
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LondonScheduled
8 – 12 Mar 2027€5,600€5,040until 15 Feb
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MadridScheduled
15 – 19 Mar 2027€5,400€4,860until 22 Feb
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ErbilScheduled
21 – 25 Mar 2027€3,100€2,790until 1 Mar
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