Preparing for the DA-100 Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI Certificate exam? Don’t know where to start? This post is the DA-100 Certificate Study Guide (with links to each exam objective).
I have curated a list of articles from Microsoft documentation for each objective of the DA-100 exam. I hope this article will help you to achieve the Microsoft Certified Data Analyst Associate Certificate. Also, please share the post within your circles so it helps them to prepare for the exam.
DA-100 Microsoft Power BI Online Course
Udemy DA-100: Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI LinkedIn Learning (Free Trial) Become a Data Analyst [Learning Path] Pluralsight (Learning Path) Microsoft Power BI for Analysts [Free Trial]
DA-100 Microsoft Power BI Practice Test
Coursera Guided Project Getting Started with Power BI Desktop Udemy Practice Test DA-100 Microsoft Power BI Practice Exam Amazon e-book (PDF) DA-100: Data Analyst 25 Prep Questions
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Using DA-100 exam dumps can get you permanently banned from taking any future Microsoft certificate exam. However, I strongly suggest you validate your understanding with practice questions.
Prepare the Data (20-25%)
Get Data from Different Data Sources
Identify and connect to a data source
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/desktop-data-sources
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/desktop-connect-to-data
Change data source settings
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/service-gateway-data-sources
Select a shared dataset or create a local dataset
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/service-excel-workbook-files
https://radacad.com/power-bi-shared-datasets-how-does-it-work-and-why-you-care
Select a storage mode
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/get-data/storage-mode
Choose an appropriate query type
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/transform-model/desktop-query-overview
Identify query performance issues
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/get-data/performance-issues
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/guidance/power-bi-optimization
Use the Common Data Service (CDS)
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/common-data-service/data-platform-intro
Use parameters
Watch video on Specifying Parameters for Data Source in Power BI
Profile the Data
Identify data anomalies
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/anomaly-detector/anomaly-detection-powerbi
Examine data structures
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/clean-data-power-bi/data-structure
Interrogate column properties
Watch video on Column Profiling in Power BI Desktop
Interrogate data statistics
https://powerbi.microsoft.com/demographics-statistics-power-query-power-view
https://community.powerbi.com/How-to-get-descriptive-statistics-for-multiple-columns
Clean, Transform, and Load the Data
Resolve inconsistencies, unexpected or null values, and data quality issues
https://community.powerbi.com/Inconsistency-with-date-type-fields/
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/tips-and-tricks#creating-relationships-in-power-bi
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/tips-and-tricks#relationships-power-bi-data-null-values
Watch video on How to Spot and Improve Data Quality in Power BI
Apply user-friendly value replacements
Watch video on Replace Values and Column Data Types with Power BI
https://community.powerbi.com/Replace-values/
Identify and create appropriate keys for joins
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/transform-model/relationships-understand
Evaluate and transform column data types
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/clean-data-power-bi/column-data-types
Apply data shape transformations to table structures
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/desktop-shape-and-combine-data
Combine queries
https://community.powerbi.com/merge-queries/
Apply user-friendly naming conventions to columns and queries
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/data-import-best-practices-in-power-bi/
Leverage Advanced Editor to modify Power Query M code
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-query-using-power-bi#the-advanced-editor
Configure data loading
https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/new-updates-in-power-query
Resolve data import errors
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/get-data/import-errors
Amazon link (affiliate)
Model the Data (25-30%)
Design a Data Model
Define the tables
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/visuals/power-bi-visualization-tables
Configure table and column properties
Define quick measures
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/transform-model/desktop-quick-measures
Flatten out a parent-child hierarchy
Video on flattening a parent-child hierarchy
Define role-playing dimensions
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/star-schema#role-playing-dimensions
Define a relationship's cardinality and cross-filter direction
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/desktop-manage-relationships#cardinality
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/desktop-relationships#cross-filter-direction
Design the data model to meet performance requirements
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/guidance/power-bi-optimization
Resolve many-to-many relationships
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/guidance/relationships-many-to-many
Create a common date table
https://community.powerbi.com/Common-Date-Filter-for-Multiple-Tables/
Define the appropriate level of data granularity
https://www.daxpatterns.com/handling-different-granularities/
Develop a Data Model
Apply cross-filter direction and security filtering
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/transform-model/desktop-bidirectional-filtering
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/transform-model/desktop-relationships-understand
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/admin/service-admin-rls
Create calculated tables
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/transform-model/desktop-calculated-tables
Create hierarchies
https://www.tutorialgateway.org/create-hierarchy-in-power-bi/
Create calculated columns
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/transform-model/create-calculated-columns
Implement row-level security roles
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/desktop-rls
Set up the Q&A feature
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/power-bi-tutorial-q-and-a
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/consumer/end-user-q-and-a
Create Measures by Using DAX
Use DAX to build complex measures
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-measures#create-your-own-measures
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/guidance/dax-variables
Use CALCULATE to manipulate filters
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/dax-avoid-avoid-filter-as-filter-argument
Implement Time Intelligence using DAX
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/time-intelligence-in-power-bi-desktop/
Replace numeric columns with measures
https://community.powerbi.com/Convert-column-to-measure/
Use basic statistical functions to enhance data
https://www.red-gate.com/sql/database-administration/dax-statistical-functions/
Create semi-additive measures
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/semi-additive-measures-in-dax-for-power-pivot/
Optimize Model Performance
Remove unnecessary rows and columns
https://community.powerbi.com/Delete-records-or-rows-if-blank-field
https://www.tutorialgateway.org/remove-columns-from-tables-in-power-bi/
Identify poorly performing measures, relationships, and visuals
https://community.powerbi.com/Slow-Measures/
https://www.reddit.com/PowerBI/dealing-with-slow-measures/
Watch video on Slow Power BI report
https://community.powerbi.com/Table-relationship-causes-severe-performance-drop/
https://community.powerbi.com/Power-BI-Desktop-Visuals-slow-load/
Improve cardinality levels by changing data types
https://www.sqlbi.com/optimize-high-cardinality-columns (Look at Datetime Columns)
Improve cardinality levels through summarization
https://community.powerbi.com/Summarizing-data/
Create and manage aggregations
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/optimize-model-power-bi/aggregations
Visualize the Data (20-25%)
Create Reports
Add visualization items to reports
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/visuals/power-bi-report-add-visualizations
Choose an appropriate visualization type
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/power-bi-visualization-types-for-reports
Format and configure visualizations
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/getting-started-with-formatting-properties
Import a custom visual
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/developer/visuals/power-bi-custom-visuals
Configure conditional formatting
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/desktop-conditional-table-formatting
Apply slicing and filtering
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/visuals/power-bi-visualization-slicers
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/power-bi-report-add-filter
Add an R or Python visual
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/desktop-python-visuals
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/desktop-r-visuals
Configure the report page
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/consumer/end-user-report-view
Design and configure for accessibility
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/accessibility-creating-reports
Create Dashboards
Set mobile view
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/service-create-dashboard-mobile-phone-view
Manage tiles on a dashboard
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/service-dashboard-edit-tile
Configure data alerts
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/consumer/end-user-alerts
Use the Q&A feature
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/end-user-q-and-a#qa-on-dashboards
Add a dashboard theme
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/service-dashboard-themes
Pin a live report page to a dashboard
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/service-dashboard-pin-live-tile-from-report
Configure data classification
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/service-data-classification
Enrich Reports for Usability
Configure bookmarks
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/desktop-bookmarks
Create custom tooltips
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/desktop-custom-tooltips
Edit and configure interactions between visuals
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/service-visual-interactions
Configure navigation for a report
Watch video on Make navigation easier with Power BI buttons
Apply sorting
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/desktop-sort-by-column
Configure Sync Slicers
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/power-bi-visualization-slicers#sync-slicers
Use the selection pane
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/power-bi-explore-selection-pane-feature
Use drillthrough and cross filter
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/desktop-drillthrough
Drilldown into data using interactive visuals
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/consumer/end-user-drill
Export report data
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/consumer/end-user-export#from-a-visual-in-a-report
Analyze the Data (10-15%)
Enhance Reports to Expose Insights
Apply conditional formatting
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/desktop-conditional-table-formatting
Apply slicers and filters
Watch video on Power BI Slicers vs Filters
Perform top N analysis
Watch video on When & How to Use TOPN in Power BI
Explore statistical summary
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/perform-analytics-power-bi/statistical-summary
Use the Q&A visual
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/ai-visuals-power-bi/visual
Add a Quick Insights result to a report
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/perform-analytics-power-bi/quick-insights
Create reference lines by using Analytics pane
Use the Play Axis feature of a visualization
https://appsource.microsoft.com/en-us/product/power-bi-visuals/
Perform Advanced Analysis
Identify outliers
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/perform-analytics-power-bi/visuals
https://community.powerbi.com/Blog/How-To-Detect-Outliers-In-Your-Data/
Conduct Time Series analysis
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/perform-analytics-power-bi/time-series-analysis
Use groupings and binnings
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/desktop-grouping-and-binning
Use the Key Influencers to explore dimensional variances
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/ai-visuals-power-bi/key-influencers
Use the decomposition tree visual to break down a measure
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/ai-visuals-power-bi/decomposition-tree
Apply AI Insights
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/transform-model/desktop-ai-insights
Deploy and Maintain Deliverables (10-15%)
Manage Datasets
Configure a dataset scheduled refresh
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/refresh-scheduled-refresh
Configure row-level security group membership
Watch video on Power BI Row-level Security Groups
https://community.powerbi.com/Service/Row-level-security-using-AD-groups/
Providing access to datasets
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/service-datasets-build-permissions
Configure incremental refresh settings
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/admin/service-premium-incremental-refresh
Endorse a dataset
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/service-datasets-promote
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/service-datasets-certify
Create and Manage Workspaces
Create and configure a workspace
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/collaborate/service-create-new-workspaces
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/collaborate/manage-app-workspace-power-bi
Recommend a development lifecycle strategy
https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/introducing-power-bi-deployment-pipelines-preview/
Video on the future of content lifecycle management in Power BI
Assign workspace roles
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/collaborate-share/service-new-workspaces
Configure and update a workspace app
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/share/distribute-apps#change-published-app
Publish, import, or update assets in a workspace
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/collaborate/service-create-distribute-apps
This brings us to the end of the DA-100 Study Guide
What do you think? Let me know in the comments section if I have missed out on anything. Also, I love to hear from you about how your preparation is going on!
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