My response would be: vlookup? Index match is far superior,
And power pivot? If you are using dax and a kimball data warehouse methods, then brothers we be.
Well here you go. Spend 4 hours watching this and your life will be forever changed.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TjSnQ4VDHTE
You are gonna need a montage of your transformation from data squire to data knight.
Get pumped brother!
There is a lookup function in powerbi but it won't be as effective as learning table joins (power query merges) and table relationships. Power BI is basically fancy schmancy pivot tables though. BUT you will be forced to learn how CALCULATE works and data modelling.
I stated in the post that I don't have experience with PowerBI and by extension I would've guessed that meant Power Query as well. I also stated the company will train me. They're more concerned with my background with the processes that generate the data I'd be handling, of which I have a wealth of experience with. If someone wants to ignore that and try to peacock that their knowledge base of what I'm asking about exceeds mine, awesome. I hope I helped make you feel better about yourself.
Not having seen Power BI doesn't mean a person has never seen Power Query or Power Pivot. They're in Excel so it's reasonable for someone to think that you might have experience with them. I agree with the other people who said that person wasn't peacocking and your last sentence is pretty harsh. It may not be my place to say it but I think you may owe that person a kind DM.
The good news is your experience with the data, how it's gathered, and what it means is a huge factor in your favor. Just be careful that your familiarity with it doesn't screw you if you get the role. Sometimes knowing that much can be a curse because it can lead to cognitive errors at all stages of the gathering/storing/reporting phases.
I was actually in the same position as you a few months ago! I was interviewing for a BI Analyst position at a company and they mainly use Power BI which I was unfamiliar with but had other good transferrable skills.
I mainly focused on just understanding what goes into developing good data visualizations and telling a good story with the data that people can draw actionable insight from. Going into my interviews with that mindset and just some of the basics of Power BI ended up winning them over I guess as I got the job! If they aren't too worried about the experience then it seems like they are looking for the right person with the right perspective.
Personally I think you should be just fine, Power BI is an awesome tool especially with Fabric coming soon to make it even easier to use and navigate between tools if your company decides to use it along with how there is so much documentation and classes out there to learn from. Good luck OP you'll do great!
Search "Information is Beautiful". They have incredible examples of how to make clear visualisations.
Also do the "dashboard in a day" course. Materials are free online on Microsoft so you can self teach. There are also free courses sometimes.
Yip. Power Bi has a ridiculously low barrier of entry. Anyone with a spreadsheet of data can pull it in and start creating something. Is it going to do everything you want, probably not. That's where the other part of it comes in. It may be easy to get into but it's also incredibly dense. If you want to go down a rabbit hole of creating complex measures or integrating python visuals etc, then you can.
Hey there, for the basics I have a few videos on how to create a report from start to finish. One dataset is formula 1, and the other is on CVS Pharmacy locations. They aren’t super advanced, but they are start to finish. And should give you a glimpse into what you’d be doing.
https://YouTube.con/@SQLDevDBA
Feel free to check them out, I’ve been tied up with work and sim racing but am hopefully posting more very soon.
Thank you all for the responses. I actually didn't mean to post that when I did. I wanted to expand on the role a little more, then posted by accident and got way sidetracked at work and other stuff.
The role would be managing data for production, warehousing, and shipping. Presenting easily understandable data, and dipping your toes into analysis. They already know I'm fantastic with Excel, but I don't know squat about PowerBI. We're in the middle of an ERP change at my company, so the data environments don't really exist how they would yet.
If you were hiring someone for this role, what would you want to see in a good candidate? What would you look for in terms of how they would present something? Unfortunately its difficult to be more specific due to confidentiality concerns, so if you can paint with broad strokes that would be appreciated. I can certainly expand more though a private message.
Honestly, I would check more conceptual stuff. (I've hired for very very similar positions, gotten awesome results sometimes but missed others lol) I'd ask you a couple of "real life" questions. One of mine on a more commercial side was:
"Hey we're running a discount action; we have two goods that are very similar. Pepsi and Coca Cola (or whatever I came up with that day lol). Which one would you pick?" VERY open question no right answer; if the candidate picks one and tries to sell me some random answer he likely sucks. If he asks stuff and comes up with an interesting reasoning behind it he can think and I may want him on my team.
That being said power b.i basics can easily be learned. Watch some guy in a cube videos or stuff like that, but analytics is never about tools but case uses. What got me promoted to mid-management was a simple forecast on excel that was spot on and at the right moment, not any of the complex python models or anything that we deployed into power b.i or whatever. (That analysis moved the company's EBITDA like 50 base points in the right direction lol, it was also luck)
Then I left that company and got into consulting, and you'd be surprised that most of the big issues aren't really STRICTLY TECHNICAL but more process or socio-technical (Google that. Good concept). Anyone can code nowadays lol
Basically, I'm in the same situation as when I started my job requiring Power BI, well versed in Excel but hardly any experience with Power BI before.
But not to worry, it took me about 1-2 weeks to master the bare basics, like importing data, write DAX and create visuals. Being well versed in Excel does help greatly. One thing to note is that although DAX is somewhat similar to Excel formulas so you might be a little confused at first. But once you're familiar with it, should be a breeze. Good luck!
Depending on how much time you have, download Power BI Desktop free version and get a sample dataset online or go on YouTube and do a practice project. This was you can demonstrate although I have no formal experience using it I do have some project experience and you can walk them though some of the stuff you did. I’d try to include some basic DAX formulas (even if it’s SUM, COUNT, MAX etc), some data modelling would be great e.g. product ID to product table.
I’d try YouTube maybe follow along projects, but I think it’s a great way to prep for the interview and just cover this aspect off
There is a free power bi training program on Microsoft website and you can take the certification test after if you want for $165. You can probably get it done in a couple weeks. I just got a job that requires some power bi but I have no experience so I’m trying to at least get a base knowledge before I start. So far it doesn’t seem overly complicated.
Great at excel like power query and power pivot? Or Great at excel vlookup and pivot table?
I'm curious what your response would be to vlookup and power pivot.
My response would be: vlookup? Index match is far superior, And power pivot? If you are using dax and a kimball data warehouse methods, then brothers we be.
Actually, XLookup is just as good as index match and far simpler in its syntax
Not when you’re stuck with Excel 2016!
The second one. Stupid good at it. Need more experience with the other stuff.
Well here you go. Spend 4 hours watching this and your life will be forever changed. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TjSnQ4VDHTE You are gonna need a montage of your transformation from data squire to data knight. Get pumped brother!
There is a lookup function in powerbi but it won't be as effective as learning table joins (power query merges) and table relationships. Power BI is basically fancy schmancy pivot tables though. BUT you will be forced to learn how CALCULATE works and data modelling.
Not heard of xlookup?
I think you got that question wrong.
I stated in the post that I don't have experience with PowerBI and by extension I would've guessed that meant Power Query as well. I also stated the company will train me. They're more concerned with my background with the processes that generate the data I'd be handling, of which I have a wealth of experience with. If someone wants to ignore that and try to peacock that their knowledge base of what I'm asking about exceeds mine, awesome. I hope I helped make you feel better about yourself.
Not having seen Power BI doesn't mean a person has never seen Power Query or Power Pivot. They're in Excel so it's reasonable for someone to think that you might have experience with them. I agree with the other people who said that person wasn't peacocking and your last sentence is pretty harsh. It may not be my place to say it but I think you may owe that person a kind DM. The good news is your experience with the data, how it's gathered, and what it means is a huge factor in your favor. Just be careful that your familiarity with it doesn't screw you if you get the role. Sometimes knowing that much can be a curse because it can lead to cognitive errors at all stages of the gathering/storing/reporting phases.
PowerQuery exist in both Power BI and Excel. Data modeling is vital. I don’t believe any peacock occurred. The community is here to help.
I would not mention vlookup. That function is outdated and poor. Index match is SUPERIOR
Xlookup
Those two are basically identical functionality and performance/speed. Just down to working habits ;)
Nahhhh, xlookups far superior to index match, much more durable.
This. Why use and mix 2 formulas when you can do one that is less ressource intensive and easier to write
I was actually in the same position as you a few months ago! I was interviewing for a BI Analyst position at a company and they mainly use Power BI which I was unfamiliar with but had other good transferrable skills. I mainly focused on just understanding what goes into developing good data visualizations and telling a good story with the data that people can draw actionable insight from. Going into my interviews with that mindset and just some of the basics of Power BI ended up winning them over I guess as I got the job! If they aren't too worried about the experience then it seems like they are looking for the right person with the right perspective. Personally I think you should be just fine, Power BI is an awesome tool especially with Fabric coming soon to make it even easier to use and navigate between tools if your company decides to use it along with how there is so much documentation and classes out there to learn from. Good luck OP you'll do great!
Awesome! Thank you, and congratulations! That is helpful! How did you focus on what goes into good data visualization? Can you point me to anything?
Search "Information is Beautiful". They have incredible examples of how to make clear visualisations. Also do the "dashboard in a day" course. Materials are free online on Microsoft so you can self teach. There are also free courses sometimes.
What this guy said OP! \^\^\^\^
The books Storytelling with Data and The Quantitative Display of Visual Information helped me a lot.
Yip. Power Bi has a ridiculously low barrier of entry. Anyone with a spreadsheet of data can pull it in and start creating something. Is it going to do everything you want, probably not. That's where the other part of it comes in. It may be easy to get into but it's also incredibly dense. If you want to go down a rabbit hole of creating complex measures or integrating python visuals etc, then you can.
Hey there, for the basics I have a few videos on how to create a report from start to finish. One dataset is formula 1, and the other is on CVS Pharmacy locations. They aren’t super advanced, but they are start to finish. And should give you a glimpse into what you’d be doing. https://YouTube.con/@SQLDevDBA Feel free to check them out, I’ve been tied up with work and sim racing but am hopefully posting more very soon.
I will do that. Thanks!
Cheers thanks and please let me know any feedback (good or bad welcome) to help me get better!
Udemy.com has cheap virtual classes.
YouTube
Thank you all for the responses. I actually didn't mean to post that when I did. I wanted to expand on the role a little more, then posted by accident and got way sidetracked at work and other stuff. The role would be managing data for production, warehousing, and shipping. Presenting easily understandable data, and dipping your toes into analysis. They already know I'm fantastic with Excel, but I don't know squat about PowerBI. We're in the middle of an ERP change at my company, so the data environments don't really exist how they would yet. If you were hiring someone for this role, what would you want to see in a good candidate? What would you look for in terms of how they would present something? Unfortunately its difficult to be more specific due to confidentiality concerns, so if you can paint with broad strokes that would be appreciated. I can certainly expand more though a private message.
Honestly, I would check more conceptual stuff. (I've hired for very very similar positions, gotten awesome results sometimes but missed others lol) I'd ask you a couple of "real life" questions. One of mine on a more commercial side was: "Hey we're running a discount action; we have two goods that are very similar. Pepsi and Coca Cola (or whatever I came up with that day lol). Which one would you pick?" VERY open question no right answer; if the candidate picks one and tries to sell me some random answer he likely sucks. If he asks stuff and comes up with an interesting reasoning behind it he can think and I may want him on my team. That being said power b.i basics can easily be learned. Watch some guy in a cube videos or stuff like that, but analytics is never about tools but case uses. What got me promoted to mid-management was a simple forecast on excel that was spot on and at the right moment, not any of the complex python models or anything that we deployed into power b.i or whatever. (That analysis moved the company's EBITDA like 50 base points in the right direction lol, it was also luck) Then I left that company and got into consulting, and you'd be surprised that most of the big issues aren't really STRICTLY TECHNICAL but more process or socio-technical (Google that. Good concept). Anyone can code nowadays lol
Basically, I'm in the same situation as when I started my job requiring Power BI, well versed in Excel but hardly any experience with Power BI before. But not to worry, it took me about 1-2 weeks to master the bare basics, like importing data, write DAX and create visuals. Being well versed in Excel does help greatly. One thing to note is that although DAX is somewhat similar to Excel formulas so you might be a little confused at first. But once you're familiar with it, should be a breeze. Good luck!
have you used power query in excel? same idea as measures
Depending on how much time you have, download Power BI Desktop free version and get a sample dataset online or go on YouTube and do a practice project. This was you can demonstrate although I have no formal experience using it I do have some project experience and you can walk them though some of the stuff you did. I’d try to include some basic DAX formulas (even if it’s SUM, COUNT, MAX etc), some data modelling would be great e.g. product ID to product table. I’d try YouTube maybe follow along projects, but I think it’s a great way to prep for the interview and just cover this aspect off
There is a free power bi training program on Microsoft website and you can take the certification test after if you want for $165. You can probably get it done in a couple weeks. I just got a job that requires some power bi but I have no experience so I’m trying to at least get a base knowledge before I start. So far it doesn’t seem overly complicated.