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Learn Power BI

Learning Power BI lets you turn complex data into informative and helpful graphics. Dive into how this software can help you grow your business.

A July 2024 Chamber of Commerce report reveals that nearly 600,000 small businesses shutter annually in the United States. No matter their service or product, businesses can avoid this fate by leveraging data-driven decisions with software like Microsoft's Power BI.

Discover how learning Power BI lets you model and manipulate business data from different sources.

What is Power BI?

Power BI is Microsoft's business intelligence and data visualization tool that utilizes interactive dashboards and reports to help transform unfiltered data into meaningful insights.

If you understand and can successfully use Power BI products, your skills will likely be in demand. The tool features three primary technologies: Power Pivot for data modeling, Power Query for data preparation, and Power View for data visualization.

Benefits of learning Power BI

Taking a Power BI course is your first step toward learning business intelligence. With business intelligence, you can help your employer make informed decisions. Furthering your education may qualify you for a career as a business analyst or data analyst. With Microsoft Power BI, you can:

  • Share your data visualizations and insights with anyone
  • Get started with Power BI Standard for free
  • Link Power BI with other Microsoft software suites
  • Create visualizations custom-tailored to stakeholders' needs
  • Use Microsoft AI to discover patterns you may have missed

Browse online Power BI Certificates

Find new interests and advance your career opportunities

Stand out in your field

Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.

Learn at your own pace

On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.

Earn a valuable credential

Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.

Certificates

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How to get started in Power BI

1. Explore Power BI basics

edX offers Power BI resources for users of all experience levels. Finding the educational opportunities right for you involves:

  • Limiting your search to introductory courses
  • Viewing upcoming courses and developing an academic schedule
  • Exploring how professional certifications and college certificates can help you advance your education and career

Once you know the basics, choose your first Power BI course.

2. Take your first Power BI courses

Start your education with edX's online Power BI courses. Courses last 4-12 weeks and cover:

  • Building data models
  • Managing workspaces and semantic models
  • Analyzing and visualizing data

These introductory courses cover fundamental skills you can apply on the job or continue to develop with an industry certification.

3. Earn an industry certification

Improve your résumé by earning a professional certification in a course like Power BI: Get started with Microsoft data analytics. This intermediate certification shows that you can:

  • Gain insights from visual data
  • Create interactive reports
  • Apply Power BI concepts for different purposes

4. Earn a college certificate or complete an executive education program

You may need more than an industry certification to reach your career goals. A college certificate in data or business analysis can help you analyze Power BI visualizations. Completing a college certificate can also confer undergraduate or graduate credit.

Consider executive education programs to improve your skills without committing to a degree. A typical executive education program lasts 6-8 weeks and costs $2,500-$3,500.

5. Earn a degree

An online bachelor's degree in data analytics trains you to make the most of Power BI. You may take courses in:

  • Econometrics
  • Data mining with business applications
  • Business intelligence

Consider a master's degree if you need a graduate-level education to qualify for a raise or professional advancement. Master's degree-seekers generally spend 12-36 months in school and may spend $10,000-$200,000 on their education, depending on factors like school prestige, location, and private vs. public status.

How long does it take to learn Power BI?

You can learn Power BI basics in just a few days by taking free online classes through edX. Earning a certification takes about five months if you dedicate at least 10 hours per week to your education. A certification, like a certificate, shows you know how to use the software's primary functions.

Knowing how to use Power BI is the first step in making the most of its data visualizations. You may need to complete business data and analytics courses to learn how to draw insights from Power BI. Advancing your education may take a few months to a few years, depending on your goals and learning style.

Courses

4-12 weeks
Program length
$50-$300
Cost

Certificates

2-10 months
Program length
$500- $1,500
Cost

Careers that use Power BI

Power BI skills transfer across industries and can prepare you to pursue roles like:

Data scientist

Data scientists use analytical tools and techniques to extract actionable insights from data. Power BI can help these professionals analyze data effectively and efficiently.

  • Required education: Bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, or statistics
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) median annual salary (May 2024): $112,590

Business intelligence analyst

Business intelligence analysts develop financial intelligence by analyzing data repositories and generating reports. Power BI can assist these professionals with spotting trends in information sources and identifying data patterns.

Market research analyst

Market research analysts dissect consumer preferences, analyze business conditions, and advise decision-makers about product or service sales. These professionals can use Power BI to draw conclusions about consumer behavior to inform business decisions.

  • Required education: Bachelor's degree in a related field
  • BLS median annual salary (May 2024): $76,950

More opportunities for you to learn

We've added 500+ learning opportunities to create one of the world's most comprehensive free-to-degree online learning platforms.

    Frequently asked questions about Power BI

    Why should I learn Power BI?

    Power BI data analytics skills are in demand in today's world, and these powerful tools can help you get your foot in the door of many industries. Power BI heavily integrates with other Microsoft tools, and many organizations rely on these solutions for everyday operations.

    How long does it take to learn Power BI?

    You can learn the basics of Power BI in a matter of weeks by taking an introductory course. However, to hone your skills and qualify for higher-paying jobs, a bachelor's or master's degree could be a better fit.

    How hard is it to learn Power BI?

    It's not difficult to learn the basics of Power BI, especially if you have a strong understanding of spreadsheets and basic analytics. The learning curve is gradual, and there are some effective free courses to get you started.

    Last updated September 17, 2025