Course Review: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate by Microsoft (Coursera)
Learn to use Power BI to turn data into insights and prepare for the PL-300 exam—no experience needed. Build job-ready skills in just months.
Instructor: Microsoft
Course Overview
This beginner-friendly certificate by Microsoft teaches you to use Power BI for real-world data analysis. You’ll learn to clean, model, and visualize data, build dashboards, and gain job-ready skills. No experience is needed, and it prepares you for the PL-300 exam. With hands-on projects and flexible pacing, it’s ideal for anyone looking to start or shift into a data analytics or BI role.
Duration: 5 months (10 hours per week, self-paced)
Chapters:
- Preparing Data for Analysis with Microsoft Excel
- Harnessing the Power of Data with Power BI
- Extract, Transform and Load Data in Power BI
- Data Modeling in Power BI
- Data Analysis and Visualization with Power BI
- Creative Designing in Power BI
- Deploy and Maintain Power BI Assets and Capstone Project
- Microsoft PL-300 Exam Preparation and Practice
Tutor: Microsoft
Pros & Cons
👍Pros
- ✔️ No experience needed—great for beginners starting in data analytics.
- ✔️ Covers hands-on projects that match real-world job tasks.
- ✔️ Prepares you for the PL-300 certification with guided learning and practice.
👎Cons
- ❌ Certification exam fee is not included in the course cost.
- ❌ Some topics may feel basic for learners with prior analytics experience.
- ❌ Requires strong self-discipline due to its self-paced format.
🧑🎓 Who is This Course Best For?
This course is a great fit for anyone looking to start a career in data analytics or boost their skills in business intelligence. Whether you’re a beginner or shifting into a new role, it offers a clear and practical path to mastering Power BI. The hands-on projects and flexible schedule make it easy to learn at your own pace.
- Newcomers to data analytics
Perfect for those with no prior experience. You’ll learn the basics step by step and build real-world skills from the ground up. - Career switchers
If you’re changing careers into tech or analytics, this course gives you job-ready training and a recognized certificate to show employers. - Students or recent graduates
Great for building in-demand skills while studying or after graduation. Helps make your resume stand out with real tools and project experience. - Excel users looking to upskill
If you already use Excel for work, this course teaches how to take that data further with Power BI dashboards and visual analysis. - Business professionals and managers
Ideal for team leads or decision-makers who want to understand data better and use it to drive smarter choices at work. - Freelancers and consultants
Boost your analytics offerings by learning Power BI. This course helps you deliver better reports and insights to clients. - IT professionals branching into analytics
If you’re in IT and want to work more with data, the course bridges the gap with a focus on tools, models, and real business insights. - Job seekers aiming for analyst roles
Designed to help you qualify for roles like data analyst, business intelligence analyst, or Power BI analyst in just a few months.
📘 What You’ll Learn
This course helps you build strong, practical skills in Power BI, even if you’re starting from scratch. You’ll learn how to turn raw data into clear, useful insights. Step by step, you’ll explore how to clean, model, and visualize data for better business decisions. Along the way, you’ll work on real-world projects and build reports and dashboards just like you would on the job. You’ll also get ready for the Microsoft PL-300 certification exam, giving you a strong edge in the job market.
- Connect to and clean data using Power BI tools and workflows
- Prepare Excel data for analysis with formulas and functions
- Create data models using the Star Schema method
- Write DAX calculations to drive deeper insights
- Design clear, engaging dashboards and reports
- Use charts and visuals to tell stories with data
- Apply best practices for performance, security, and data accuracy
- Publish, share, and maintain Power BI apps and assets
- Work with real-time data, maps, and creative dashboard elements
- Practice for the PL-300 certification exam with mock tests and reviews
- Understand how generative AI tools can support business intelligence tasks
❓FAQs
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