PL-300: Power BI Data Analyst

Change Log
July 2023

Purpose

This document highlights the significant changes to the PL-300 Power BI Data Analyst course from
the previous release. This document is for Microsoft Certified Trainers and Instructors to use
before they deliver the class or during preparation for teaching the class.

This is not an error log or a supplement to the Course Materials. This document just provides
additional context so that you can understand the major changes to the course content. Most of
the course materials have been updated to fix typos, broken links, and formatting. We
recommend you always download the latest copies.

Please also read the Trainer Prep Guide which provides the overall strategy for implementing
this training.
July 21, 2023
Update: MAJOR
Type of change
PowerPoint decks have undergone significant updates to improve their organization and
content. Changes include restructuring the decks for a more cohesive delivery.
Overall, there have been modifications to slide flow, consolidation of redundant slides,
addition of new demo slides, updates to slide templates, headers, and picture borders.
All related assets updated to reflect changes as well.

• Updated aka.ms links – please note the removal of the hyphen (PL-300-1) is now (PL300-
1).
• Updated introductions, agenda, learning objectives, resources, and closing slides.
• Added demo slides in alignment with “PL-300T00A-ENU-DemoInstructions.pdf” file.
• Updated slide flow: agenda, content slides, demo, lab, knowledge check, recap, resources.
• Condensed from 13 to 9 decks – new outline:
0. Course introduction
1. Get started with Microsoft data analytics
2. Prepare data in Power BI Desktop
3. Design a data model in Power BI Desktop
4. Create DAX calculations in Power BI Desktop
5. Create reports in Power BI Desktop
6. Enhance reports in Power BI Desktop
7. Deploy and maintain assets in Power BI service
8. Implement row-level security in Power BI
• Get data deck and Clean and transform data deck merged into “Prepare data in Power BI
Desktop” deck.
• Optimize model performance deck removed, and relevant slides were added to Prepare
data and Design a data model decks.
• Create workspaces, Manage datasets, and Create Dashboards all merged into “Deploy and
maintain assets in Power BI service” deck.
SLIDE DETAILS
0. Course Introduction
o Refreshed deck with updated graphics.
o Updated role type comparison slides.
1. Get Started with Data Analytics
o Updated Data Analyst tasks, Flow of Power BI, Building blocks of Power BI, and KC
slides.
2. Prepare data with Power BI Desktop
o Merged Get data and Clean and transform decks.
o Replaced targeted data connector slides with a single build slide to highlight the
top connectors.
o Moved data profiling and DirectQuery slides from Optimize deck.
o Moved report parameters slide from Workspaces deck.
3. Design a data model in Power BI Desktop
o Updated fact vs dim table, star schema, relationships, and hierarchies slides.
4. Create DAX calculations in Power BI Desktop
o Updated measures, calc columns, and tables slides.
o Added implicit vs explicit vs quick measures.
o Expanded context to include row and filter context.
5. Create reports in Power BI Desktop
o Updated cross-highlighting, basic interactions, report elements
(buttons/bookmarks/selection), and drill through slides.
o Moved publish reports to Deploy and Maintain assets deck.
6. Perform advanced analytics in Power BI Desktop
o Added what-if parameters slide.
o Moved KPI slide from Create reports deck.
7. Deploy and maintain assets in Power BI service
o Merged Create Workspaces (09), Manage Datasets (10), and Create Dashboards
(11) into one deck.
o Moved Publish reports section from Create reports deck.
o Updated workspaces, workspaces roles, create apps, and data protection slides.
o Added workspace items, data endorsement, and licensing matrix slides.
o Removed update app slide.
o Updated dashboard lab timing from 45 to 30 minutes.
8. Implement row-level security in Power BI
o No major updates to slides.
o Updated lab timing from 45 to 30 minutes.
January 13, 2022
Update: MINOR
Type of change: Select screenshot updates, title updates.

SLIDES

- Updated all slide decks to have the answers for Review Questions in the notes only.
- Some screenshots updated to reflect new UI.
o Please note, where the only difference is the yellow vs. teal accent color, the
screenshot may not be updated this release. We aim to update all screenshots on the
next future release.
- PPT08:
o Updated title to Perform Data Analysis.
- PPT07:
o Update title to “Enhance a report” in line with lab.
o Updated slide 13 conditional formatting.
- PPT05:
o Updated title to “Create Advanced DAX calculations” for lab 2.
- PPT00:
o Updates to DP-500 Slide, objectives, and outline.

Additional files including Demo instructions, Trainer Prep Guide, and Assessment Guide updated
to reflect the updated names where applicable.
December 20, 2022
Update: MAJOR
Type of change: LABS

For instructor-led training, the objective is that students are introduced to the content via lecture,
then shown the product through demonstration, before finally moving to hands-on labs. There is
a certain amount of effort expected from students to problem-solve in the labs. Instructors are
also meant to be facilitators of learning and retention, guiding the students when they are unable
to progress. The lab instructions will not be completely step by step with screenshots for every
step.
Power BI is an ever-evolving product, and the Desktop application and online service update
frequently. Screenshots are heavily relied on in these labs, which makes maintaining up-to-date
assets difficult.

All Labs:
• Where appropriate, screenshots have been removed. Screenshots that enhance steps or
provide visual guidance for difficult steps have been preserved.
• At this time, only screenshots where the experience changes (not the new teal accent color
in place of yellow) have been updated. The yellow screenshots will be phased out in the
coming months.
• A less formal language has also been adopted with more contractions and simpler words
and explanations.
• References to “continuing labs” has been revised – these labs are used on Microsoft Learn
as well where learners can’t continue in the same VM.
• For all labs, the getting started tasks have been condensed.

Specific Changes:
- 1 – Prepare data with Power BI
o There is now a starter file to be consistent with other labs, which is a blank file with
import and autodetect relationships disabled.
▪ This replaces the task for students to disable this in options & settings.
- 2 – Load data with Power Query Editor
o “Task 8: Configure the Targets query” that has been updated to fix a bug issue with
added zeros.
▪ Note: if this is an issue outside of the US MM/DD/YY format, learners should
adjust their keyboard settings.
- 3 – Design a Data Model in Power BI
o No additional changes to the above.
- 4 – Create DAX Calculations in Power BI Desktop, Part 1
o No additional changes.
- 5 – Create DAX Calculations in Power BI Desktop, Part 2
o Renamed to Create Advanced DAX Calculations in Power BI Desktop, Part 2.
- 6 – Design a Report in Power BI Desktop, Part 1
 o Task 1 to Enable Map Visuals has been removed.
o Map visual instructions have been removed and replaced with a stacked bar chart.
▪ Note: most students will not have tenant admin rights, and therefore while
this task indicates that maps are only useable if enabled, it may limit their
ability to implement them in the real-world.
o Visualization pane experience screenshots have been updated for slicers and other
changes to product.
o Power BI service screenshots updated to reflect new experience.
- 7 – Design a Report in Power BI Desktop, Part 2
o Renamed to Enhance a Report in Power BI Desktop, Part 2
o Visualization pane experience screenshots have been updated.
- 8 – Analyze Data with AI Visuals
o Renamed to Perform Data Analysis in Power BI.
o New starter file created instead of going to previous lab solution file to create
dataset.
o Power BI service screenshots updated to reflect new experience.
- 9 – Create a Power BI Dashboard
o Power BI service screenshots updated to reflect new experience.
- 10 – Enforce Row-Level Security
o No additional changes.

Complete changes can be reviewed in the GitHub repository.

November 11, 2022
Update: MAJOR
Type of change: GENERAL, SLIDES, CONTENT, LABS, EDUCATOR ASSETS

GENERAL

• New Change log template.

• New Trainer Prep Guide with significant updates.
• Removed “module, lesson, topic” nomenclature from all assets.
• Added aka.ms short links for all Microsoft Learn related content.
• Added links for labs on the applicable lab slides.
• Updated links from <docs…> to <learn…>.
• Reordered sections in Slides, Course Datasheet, Assessment Guide, Demo Instructions, and
labs. (Create dashboards has been moved to after Create and manage datasets).

SLIDES

• PPT00
o Updated introductions and logistics slides 1-6
o Added DP-500 detail slides 12-14
• PPT01
o Slide 8 added Enterprise Data Analyst (DP-500) and removed Business Analyst
• PPT08
o Now Identify Patterns and Trends (previously PPT11)
• PPT09
o Now Create and Manage Workspaces (previously PPT10)
• PPT10
o Now Manage Files and Datasets in Power BI (previously PPT11)
• PPT11
 o Now Create dashboards (previously PPT08)

MICROSOFT LEARN CONTENT

• N/A

LABS

• Added 00-setup file to labs (for self-study) to GitHub and zip folder of Allfiles folder.
• Updated all GitHub lab instructions to align experience for ILT and Learn users.
• Renamed lab 08 - Analyze Data with AI Visuals.
• Updated Microsoft Learn exercise pages to clarify users must use their own organizational
accounts or create M365 developer accounts for Power BI service.
o Updated lab instructions to remove conflicting “resources” instructions from ILT.
• GitHub bug fixes, including:
o Updating screenshots and instructions to reflect Power BI Desktop product
updates.
o Adding verbiage to refresh published report if map visual shows error that map is
disabled.
o Removing verbiage for primary key “0” value.

EDUCATOR ASSETS

• Bug fix on Assessment guide (Section 8: Create Dashboards, #2)