Top 100 Power BI Interview Questions & Answers [for Freshers & Experienced Professionals]

Power BI is a powerful tool for business intelligence that allows organizations to transform data into valuable insights. It helps create powerful data visualizations and reports, making it a popular choice for professionals. Companies hire skilled Power BI professionals for their teams to leverage the capabilities of this tool. 

The interview process is a crucial part of your job search journey, so it is important to prepare well. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most commonly asked Power BI interview questions to help you understand better what employers expect in this field.

Power BI Interview Questions for Freshers

Here is a list of basics Power BI basic interview questions for freshers:

Q1: What is Power BI?

Power BI is a business intelligence tool that allows organizations to turn data into insights.

Q2: Can you list the various components that makeup Power BI?

The different components of Power BI include Power BI Desktop, Power BI Service, Power BI Data Sources, Power Query, Power Pivot, Power BI Website, Power Maps, Power Gateway, Power BI Report Server, Power BI Embedded, Power Q&A, and Power View.

Q3: What is a visual, dashboard, and report in Power BI?

Visual: Graphical representation of data, such as a chart, table, or map is called Visual.

Dashboard: Collection of visuals that display key data in a single view is called Dashboard.

Report: Collection of visuals and pages that presents data in an organized and informative way is called Report.

Q4: What kind of data can you store in Power BI?

You can store two types of data in Power BI, fact tables and dimension tables. Fact tables store the quantitative information for analysis. Dimension table stores attributes and dimensions that describe the objects stored in a fact table.

Q5: What are the disadvantages of using Power BI?

Two major disadvantages of using Power BI are:

• The Power BI dashboard does not accept or allow user, account, or other entity parameters. 
• You can share dashboards and reports only with users who have identical email domains as yours.

Q6: How can you import data into Power BI?

We can import data into Power BI from various sources, such as Excel, CSV, and databases.

Q7: What are the different types of data sources that can be used in Power BI?

The different types of data sources that can be used in Power BI include cloud-based services, on-premises data sources, and files.

Q8: What is the difference between Direct Query and Import modes?

Direct Query mode allows users to query data in real-time from a database, while Import mode imports data into Power BI for faster performance.

Also Read: Power BI Developer Salary

Q9: What is DAX in Power BI?

The formula language DAX is utilized in Power BI for producing tailored computations and consolidations.

Q10: What is a measure in Power BI? How are they different?

• Measure: It is a calculation used to aggregate and analyze data, such as sum, average, or count.
• Calculated Column: To create a calculated column in Power BI, you need to select the table, click on the “Modeling” tab, and then click on “New Column”. Next, you can enter the DAX formula for the calculation.

The main difference is that a calculated column is calculated during the data loading process, whereas a measure is calculated at query time, based on the user’s interactions with the visuals.

Q11: Why do we use the selection pane in Power BI?

The selection pane is used to take control over visuals to decide which are to be displayed and which are not to be displayed. It allows the user to combine multiple visual pages in the group.

Q12: What are data alerts in Power BI?

Data alerts are set to notify Power BI about any changes in the data on the dashboard above or below the data limits you have set. When the data is refreshed, a change is registered. If it reaches the alert limit and triggers it, Power BI is notified about the same.

Q13: Can you explain the distinction between a slicer and a filter in Power BI?

A filter in Power BI is used to exclude data based on a specific condition, while a slicer is used to select specific data to be displayed in the visuals.

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Q14: What are the steps to build a hierarchy in Power BI?

To create a hierarchy in Power BI, you need to select the fields that you want to include in the hierarchy and then right-click on the selection to create the hierarchy.

Q15: What is a drill-through in Power BI?

Drillthrough is a feature in Power BI that allows users to navigate from a high-level summary view to a more detailed view of the data.

Q16: Can you explain the process of creating a calculated table in Power BI?

To create a calculated table in Power BI, you need to select the “New Table” option in the “Modeling” tab and then write a DAX formula for the calculation.

Q17: What is a join in Power BI?

A join in Power BI is used to combine two or more tables based on a common field. Various varieties of joins exist in databases, including inner join, left join, right join, and full outer join.

Q18: What do you understand by data model in Power BI?

A data model in Power BI is the underlying structure that defines how the data is organized, connected, and presented in the visuals.

Q19: What is the process to establish a connection between two tables in Power BI?

To create a connection between two tables in Power BI, you need to select the fields that you want to use as a link between the tables and then create a relationship using the “Manage Relationships” option.

Q20: How do you create a bookmark in Power BI?

To create a bookmark in Power BI, you need to select the visual that you want to bookmark, go to the “View” tab, and then click on “Bookmark”. You can then name the bookmark and save it for future reference.

Q21: Can you join two unique information sources in the same Power BI dashboard?

Yes, it is possible to join two unique information sources in the same dashboard. You can also merge comparable reports using a single dashboard.

Q22: Can we create multiple dynamic connections between two tables?

No, we cannot create more than one dynamic connection between two tables.

Q23: How do you hide and unhide a report in Power BI?

You can hide and unhide specific reports in Power BI by going to the selection pane in the menu bar and pressing the hide/unhide toggle button.

Q24: How can one purchase a Power BI suite?

You can purchase the Power BI suite from Power BI’s official website, which offers licensed versions of Power BI.

Q25: Name some common data-shaping techniques.

Some common data shaping techniques are:

• Applying a sort order.
• Adding indexes.
• Removing columns and rows.

Q26: Explain the working of Power BI through different stages.

The working of Power BI comprises three stages. These are as follows:

• Data Integration: First, establish a connection with the data source and integrate it for data extraction. 
• Data Processing: This stage involves processing of extracted data. It may include inaccurate data or missing values. The BI tool needs to identify it in the processing stage.
• Data Presentation: The final stage involves analyzing the data and presenting meaningful insights through dashboards and graphs.

Q27: What are some common applications of Power BI?

Some common applications of Power BI are as follows:

• Business analysis
• Database administration
• Real-time performance
• Improving marketing campaigns
• Data analysis
• Product development

Q28: How can you reshape data in Power BI?

One of the ways to reshape data in Power BI is by using the Data Editor. It is a tool for manipulating rows and columns of data and reshaping it as required.

Power BI Intermediate Interview Questions

Here is a list of Power BI interview questions and answers for intermediate candidates.

Q29: How can you optimize the performance of a Power BI report?

To optimize the performance of a Power BI report, you can limit the number of visuals, reduce data volume, use aggregations, minimize the number of visuals on each page, and use filters to limit the data.

Q30: How can you handle errors in Power BI?

To handle errors in Power BI, you can use the Error Visual, which is a visual that displays errors in the report. You can also use the “View as Roles” feature to test the report with different roles to ensure that each user can see the data they are authorized to see.

Q31: What are the various categories of filters available in Power BI?

There are various categories of filters available in Power BI, such as visual-level filters, page-level filters, report-level filters, and drill-through filters.

Q32: What is a KPI in Power BI?

A KPI (Key Performance Indicator) is a visual that displays a single value and provides a quick way to assess business performance against a target.

Q33: Can you explain the distinctions between Power BI Desktop and Power BI Service?

Power BI Desktop is a desktop application used to create Power BI reports, whereas Power BI Service is a cloud-based service used to share and collaborate on Power BI reports.

Q34: How do you publish a Power BI report to the web?

To publish a Power BI report to the web, you can use the Publish to Web feature, which creates an embed code that can be used to share the report on a website or blog.

Q35: What are tiles in Power BI?

Tiles is an essential feature of Power BI. It is a picture of the data which the user can pin on the dashboard. You can create a tile from a dashboard, report, Excel, SSRS report, the Q&A box, etc.

Q36: What is the process of making a slicer in Power BI?

To create a slicer in Power BI, you can select a field that you want to use as a slicer and drag it onto the report canvas, or you can select the Slicer visual from the “Visualizations” pane.

Q37: What is the purpose of drill-through in Power BI?

The purpose of drill-through in Power BI is to enable users to explore and analyze details about a particular data point in a report by clicking on it.

Q38: What is the difference between a pie chart and a donut chart in Power BI?

The difference between a pie chart and a donut chart in Power BI is that a donut chart has a hole in the center, which can be used to display additional information or text while a pie chart does not.

Q39: Where is the data stored in Power BI?

Data is stored in Power BI in the following sources:

• Azure Blob Storage: It stores the data uploaded by users. 
• Azure SQL Database: It stores metadata and system artifacts.

Q40: What are content packs in Power BI?

Content packs are packages containing different Power BI objects like dashboards, datasets, reports, and more. There are two types of content packs, service provider content packs and user-created content packs.

Q41: What is Power Pivot?

Power Pivot allows you to import millions of rows from different data sources into a single Excel sheet. It enables you to create relationships between several tables, use formulas to calculate, create columns, and create PivotTables and PivotCharts.

Q42: What are the different types of custom visuals in Power BI?

Custom visuals are developed using a custom SDK and are similar to other visualizations generated using Power BI. Different types of custom visuals in Power BI include:

• Custom visual files
• Marketplace files
• Custom visual files

Q43: What is self-service BI? Name components of Microsoft’s self-service BI solution.

Self-Service Business Intelligence (SSBI) enables business professionals with no technical expertise to use Power BI for generating reports, creating dashboards, and getting insights. Microsoft’s SSBI contains two components, namely, Excel BI Toolkit and Power BI.

Q44: How are relationships defined in Power BI Desktop?

Relationship between tables are defined in Power BI Desktop in the following ways:

• You can establish relationships between tables manually using the primary and foreign keys.
• You can also use the automated feature in Power BI which detects relationships between tables and creates them automatically.

Q45: What is bi-directional cross filtering?

Bi-directional cross filtering allows report creators and data modelers to apply filters on both sides of a table relationship. It helps them to solve complex DAX formulas.

Q46: What is grouping in Power BI?

You can group the data in your visuals into chunks in Power BI Desktop. This is called grouping. Here is how you can group multiple elements in a visual:

• Press Ctrl and select the elements. 
• Right-click one of these elements.
• Choose ‘Group’ from the menu that appears.
• A ‘Groups’ window will open. You can create new groups here or modify existing ones.

Q47: Explain query folding in Power BI.

Query folding is a method used when steps defined in the Query Editor are converted into SQL steps and the source database executes them instead of a device. It is essential for processing and scalability.

Q48: What is an advanced editor? What are the steps to view query code in it?

An advanced editor is used to view queries that Power BI runs against the data sources that import data. You can follow these steps to view the query code:

• Select ‘Edit Queries’ in the Home Tab.
• Click on ‘Advanced Editor’
• View the Query or make changes to it. Any changes made will get saved to ‘Applied Steps’ in the Query Settings.

Advanced Power BI Interview Questions for Experienced Professionals-

Here is a list of Power BI interview questions for experienced professionals. To learn more about Power BI in detail and polish your skills before an interview, you can go through a Power BI course.

Q49: How do you create a custom visual in Power BI?

You can use the Power BI Developer Tools to create a new visual or modify an existing one using custom code.

To create a custom visual in Power BI, follow these steps: 

• Install necessary tools and dependencies like Power BI command-line tools and Node.js to set up a Power BI environment for custom visual development. 
• Use a Power BI Visuals CLI to begin your new custom visual project. It provides you with commands for testing, building, and debugging your custom visual. 
• Explore existing custom visual options from the gallery to understand these visuals and their underlying code. 
• Now, start creating basic custom visualizations like bar charts or line charts using custom visuals in Power BI. 
• Leverage capabilities of Power BI custom visuals SDK to add advanced features and functionality like animation and dynamic filtering to your visuals.
• Finally, test and debug your custom visuals to identify issues and optimize visuals accordingly. 

Q50: What are the steps to set up row-level security in Power BI?

You can define security roles or user roles using the enhanced row-level security editor. Follow these steps to set up row-level security in Power BI:

• Open Power BI Desktop and go to Files. Select ‘Options and Settings’ and click on ‘Options’. In the preview features, turn on “Enhanced row-level security editor”.
• Import data in your Power BI semantic model.
• Select ‘Manage roles’ from the ribbon. 
• Select ‘New’ from the opened window to create a new role. 
• Under ‘Roles’, give a name for the role and select enter. 
• Under ‘Select tables’, choose the table you wish to apply the row-level security filter to.
• In the ‘Filter data’ section, you can use the default editor to define your roles. 
• Additionally, to define filters not supported by the default editor, switch to the DAX editor and define the rest of the filters. 
• Finally, select ‘Save’. Your row-level security is set. 

Q51: What is Power BI Premium, and how is it different from Power BI Pro?

Power BI Premium is a paid version of Power BI that offers advanced features, such as higher data capacity, more frequent data refreshes, and AI capabilities, while Power BI Pro is a lower-priced version with limited features and data capacity.

Q52: Can you distinguish between Power BI and Excel in terms of their features and functionalities?

The main difference between Power BI and Excel is that Power BI is designed for data visualization and business intelligence, while Excel is a spreadsheet application with basic data visualization capabilities.

Q53: What are the different data types used in DAX?

Common DAX data types include the following:

• Binary
• DateTime
• Decimal
• Boolean
• Integer
• Variant 
• String
• Currency

Q54: Name different types of views in Power BI.

The different types of views in Power BI are as follows:

• Data View: It shows transformed data in a table with columns and rows. You can create new calculated columns for further insights here. 
• Report View: It shows visualization of data in reports and is the default view.
• Model View: You can see all created models in this view and draw comparisons or create diagrams based on model subsets. It is also called relationship view because it helps create relationships between data models.

Q55: How do you optimize the performance of a large dataset in Power BI?

To optimize the performance of a large dataset in Power BI, we can use techniques, such as data modeling, partitioning, and aggregation. We can also consider factors, such as hardware and network performance.

Q56: What do you understand by the composite model in Power BI?

A composite model in Power BI allows you to combine data from multiple sources, such as imported data and direct query data into a single data model for analysis.

Q57: How do you use Power BI to create a data-driven decision-making culture in an organization?

To create a data-driven decision-making culture in an organization using Power BI, you can start by identifying the key metrics and KPIs, creating dashboards and reports, and encouraging collaboration and data-driven decision-making across departments.

Q58: What are the various refresh options in Power BI?

Some refresh options in Power BI include:

• Title Refresh: It refreshes the title’s cache on the dashboard when the data changes. 
• Package/OneDrive Refresh: It synchronizes Power BI desktop or Excel files between the Power BI service and OneDrive.
• Visual Container Refresh: It updates the report’s visuals and visual container when the data changes.
• Data/Model Refresh: It schedules the data import from all the sources on-demand or based on the refresh schedule.

Q59: What are the different connectivity modes in Power BI?

The following are the three main connectivity modes in Power BI:

• Direct Query: It allows direct connection to the Power BI model and the data does not get stored in Power BI. 
• Import Data: It allows you to upload the data into Power BI or consume the memory of your Power BI desktop.
• Live Connection: It is a direct connection to the analysis services model. It does not store any data in Power BI.

Q60: How can we assign SSRS with Power BI?

To assign SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) with Power BI, you can open the SSRS report and click on the Power BI icon at the top of the report in the reporting services portal. From there, you can start pinning the elements into the Power BI service.

Q61: What is the difference between Power BI and Tableau?

Here are the key differences between Power BI and Tableau:

Power BI	Tableau
It can handle a limited amount of data as compared to Tableau.	It can handle a large amount of data.
It uses DAX for calculating columns in a table.	It uses Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) to calculate the columns of the table.
It is integrated with Microsoft products like Excel and SQL server.	It can connect to a wider range of data sources like web services and cloud-based databases.
It takes more time to learn because of its advanced features.	It is user-friendly because of its drag-and-drop functionality.

Q62: What is GetData in Power BI?

GetData allows the user to connect files from various data sources to their local system. It supports data sources like databases, files, Azure, Power BI datasets, dataflows, online services, and more.

Q63: What are the important components of SSAS?

Some of the important components of SSAS are as follows:

• Data Drilling: It is a process to explore details of the data with multiple levels of granularity.
• Pivot Tables: They help switch between different categories of data stored in rows and columns. 
• OLP Engine: It enables the end-users to run ADHOC queries faster.
• Slicers: They help store data in rows and columns.

Q64: What is the most essential consideration to keep in mind when choosing a machine to install a data gateway in Power BI Service?

You must consider the number of concurrent users who will consume the report because it is one of the biggest factors that affect the performance of data gateways. It is even more important when you have reports that use real-time data connections.

Q65: Can data gateways in Power BI Service contain both import and direct query connections?

Yes, a data gateway in Power BI Service can contain both import and direct query connections. However, it is advisable to use separate gateways for both query connections to avoid excess strain on the machine the gateway is installed on.

Q66: What is z-order in power BI?

Z-order is a design strategy utilized for arranging visuals over shapes. It is an implementation method used when reports have more than one element.

Q67: What is the only prerequisite for connecting to a database in Azure SQL Database?

The only prerequisite for connecting to a database in Azure SQL Database is that the user must configure their firewall settings to allow remote connections.

Power BI DAX Interview Questions

Here is a list of Power BI DAX interview questions:

Q68: What is DAX, and what is it used for in Power BI?

DAX is a formula language used in Power BI to create custom calculations and aggregations for data analysis.

Q69: What are the various categories of functions in DAX?

DAX functions can be categorized into four types: Information, Logical, Text, and Date/Time.

Q70: Can you explain the distinction between a calculated column and a measure when using DAX?

A calculated column is computed for each row in a table, while a measure is computed for the entire table or a subset of it based on the filter context.

Q71: How do you write a DAX formula to calculate a running total?

To calculate a running total in DAX, you can use the following DAX formula: 

RunningTotal = CALCULATE(SUM(Table[Column]), FILTER(ALL(Table), Table[Date] <= MAX(Table[Date]))).

Q72: How do you use the SUMX function in DAX?

The SUMX function in DAX is used to sum up a table column that is first filtered using another table or an expression.

Q73: What is the purpose of the CALCULATE function in DAX?

The CALCULATE function in DAX is used to modify or filter the current filter context before performing calculations.

Q74: What is a filter context in DAX?

A filter context in DAX is the set of active filters that affect the computation of a DAX expression or calculation.

Q75: Explain the CALENDARAUTO function in DAX.

It is used to print a table with a single column called ‘Date’ with a contiguous set of dates in it. The range of dates is determined automatically by the information in the model.

Q76: What is the KeepFilters function in DAX?

While launching a new query, you can retain the filters from the previous query using the KeepFilters function.

Q77: Name any three text functions in DAX.

CONCATENATE, REPLACE, and UPPER are some important text functions in DAX.

Q78: What is the difference between Distinct() and Values() in DAX?

The difference between the Distinct() and Values() function in DAX is that Distinct() removes duplicate rows and returns unique rows in the specified table, whereas the Values() function returns all rows in the specified table, including a blank row. 

Also, the Distinct() function accepts a column name or valid table expression as its argument but the Values() function only accepts a column or table name as an argument.

Q79: What are DAX Patterns?

It is a ready-to-use collection of data models and formulas in DAX.

Q80: What is the difference between the MAX and MAXA functions of DAX?

MAX function works on columns that contain numeric values. If there is no numeric value in the column, the MAX function would return a blank. MAXA function, on the other hand, is used to evaluate the columns with values that are not numeric. 

Q81: How many types of contexts are there in DAX?

There are three types of contexts–Filter context, Row context, and Query context.

Q82: Which context will execute first in a DAX expression–Filter or Row?

Filter context will execute first in a DAX expression, as it applies on top of other contexts, such as row and query contexts.

Q83: What is the difference between M and DAX?

M is a Power Query Formula Language used for data transformation whereas DAX is used for data analysis.

Q84: What is a DAX variable?

DAX variables help in breaking the complex calculations written using DAX functions into smaller and more useful sections. They improve the readability of the calculations.

Q85: What are circular dependencies?

Circular dependencies occur when two expressions reference each other and Power Bi cannot determine which one to calculate first to get the result. The problem usually arises because of improper use of CALCULATE function.

Power BI Scenario-Based Interview Questions-

Here is a list of scenario-based interview questions of Power BI:

Q86: How would you design a Power BI dashboard to track sales performance across different regions?

To design a Power BI dashboard to track sales performance across different regions, we can create visualizations that show sales by region, product, and period, and use filters to allow users to drill down into specific regions or products.

Q87: How would you use Power BI to analyze customer churn rate?

To analyze the customer churn rate in Power BI, we can create visualizations that show the number of customers who have churned, the reasons for churn, and any patterns or trends that may be contributing to customer attrition.

Q88: How would you use Power BI to visualize a customer journey?

To visualize a customer journey in Power BI, we can create a series of visualizations that show the touchpoints that customers have with a brand, from initial awareness to purchase and post-purchase engagement.

Q89: How would you use Power BI to track website traffic and engagement?

To track website traffic and engagement in Power BI, we can use data from web analytics tools to create visualizations that show page views, user engagement, and other metrics that help understand how visitors are interacting with a website.

Q90: How would you use Power BI to analyze social media data and sentiment?

To analyze social media data and sentiment in Power BI, we can use data from social media monitoring tools to create visualizations that show mentions, sentiment, and other metrics that help understand how a brand is perceived on social media platforms.

Q91: How can you use Power BI to analyze real-time data?

Connecting to a data source that supports DirectQuery will enable us to analyze real-time data without the need to load the data in Power BI. We can also create streaming datasets to push real-time data through APIs or Azure Stream Analytics. These streaming datasets can be used to create real-time dashboards to monitor data as well.

Q92: How will you optimize data model relationships for better performance in Power BI?

You can minimize the number of relationships, use single-direction relationships, use star schema, optimize data types, and minimize calculated columns to optimize data model relationships for better performance.

Q93: How will you use Power BI to handle data from multiple sources?

We will use PowerQuery for data integration and create relationships between different tables to link data from multiple sources. Next, columns will be created to adjust varied granularity levels. Finally, data validation would be done as the aggregated data will be compared with source data for accuracy. 

Q94: How can you refresh Power BI reports once they are published on the cloud?

We can use the data gateway to refresh Power BI reports after they are published on the cloud. For the reports on the Power BI web, we use the personal gateway and for reports on share-point, we use the management gateway.

Q95: Can you audit and monitor user activity in Power BI?

Yes, we can do that by enabling the auditing feature in ‘Tenant settings’ in Power BI. We can further review audit logs, monitor usage metrics, and even set up alerts.

Q96: How will you embed Power BI reports in custom applications?

We can do this by registering an application on the Azure portal and further setting up the required API permissions. Next, generate an access token that will help access Power BI resources. We can interact with Power BI reports within the custom application now using the Power BIrest APIs or Embedded SDK.

Q97: Name the key factors that impact the performance of a Power BI report.

The key factors affecting the performance of a Power BI report are data size, data model complexity, data source type, DAX calculations, filters and visuals, custom visuals, and data refresh frequency.

Q98: Describe two ways through which DAX helps in handling data discrepancies and irregularities.

The following are the two ways to handle data discrepancies through DAX. 

• Data cleaning through TRIM, SUBSTITUTE, or REPLACE functions. They remove unwanted characters and spaces while correcting typos. 
• Error handling through ISERROR, IFERROR, and DIVIDE functions that handle errors in calculations and retrieval of data. 

Q99: Name Power BI visuals that can be used to visualize hierarchical data in an organization’s report. 

There are many power visuals used to visualize hierarchical data. Some of them are:

• Treemap, which displays data in nested rectangles with child categories inside the larger rectangles of parent categories. 
• Sunburst, which represents the data in a circular format.
• Hierarchy slicer, where the user can interact with the report based on the levels they have selected. 

Q100: How would you use Power BI to know the better-performing division of your company?

With the following steps, we can analyze and identify which is the better-performing division of a company:

• Data Collection & Preparation: Collect and export data, such as sales figures, profit margins, production costs, etc. from the various divisions of a company to Power BI. Clean and transform data to remove errors, duplicate entries, and normalize the data. 
• Data Modelling: Create relationships between different tables to link the relevant data. Define your key performance indicators (KPIs) like net profit, revenue growth, etc.  
• Visualization: Create dashboards in Power BI to visualize data with the help of visuals like charts, graphs, and tables. You can use pie charts for market share and bar charts for sales comparison. 
• Analysis: Compare the performance of the different divisions across KPIs using the visualization. Identify trends and patterns among various customer bases. 
• Reports Preparation: Set up reports updated with the latest data to provide real-time insights. You can now identify the better-performing divisions of your business.

Conclusion

In this blog, we have covered a variety of Power BI interview questions that you might encounter in your job interview. These questions range from basic to advanced and cover different aspects of Power BI, including data modeling, DAX, visualization, and scenario-based questions. By familiarizing yourself with these questions and practicing your answers, you can increase your chances of landing a job in the field of data science.  

Were you able to revise all Power BI-related concepts through the questions mentioned here? Let us know in the comments section below. To set yourself apart in the job interview, you can also practice these top Power BI projects.