Prepare Data for Analysis with Power BI Review – Is It Worthwhile for Data Analysts?

Preparing clean and structured data is the foundation of every successful analytics project. The “Prepare Data for Analysis with Power BI” course aims to help learners understand exactly how to connect, clean, and transform raw data into analysis-ready datasets. Designed by Microsoft, this official Power BI learning path gives aspiring analysts the confidence to manage real-world data efficiently.

About the Program

This intermediate-level learning path helps learners master essential Power BI skills used in data preparation. It’s a free, self-paced online course designed to teach how to collect data from different sources, transform it using Power Query, and set up data models for effective analysis in Power BI.

The course consists of three main modules:

1. Get Data in Power BI – Learn how to import and connect data from multiple sources.

2. Clean, Transform, and Load Data – Discover how to fix, organize, and prepare data using Power Query.

3. Choose a Power BI Model Framework – Understand how to design efficient data models for reporting and analysis.

This structure mirrors the real-world data analytics workflow — from data ingestion to transformation to modelling.

What You’ll Learn

By completing this course, you’ll develop the following key skills:

• Connecting Power BI to multiple data sources (Excel, databases, web data, and more)

• Using Power Query to clean and transform messy data

• Profiling and validating data quality

• Managing relationships and hierarchies within data models

• Understanding storage modes, model frameworks, and optimization techniques

• Preparing datasets for visualization and reporting

These skills are vital for anyone working as a Data Analyst, Business Intelligence Developer, or Data Consultant.

Learning Experience

The lessons are short, interactive, and structured progressively. You’ll find a good balance of theory and hands-on exercises. Each concept is reinforced with guided examples, making it easier to grasp how Power BI handles real-world data.

Since it’s part of the official Microsoft learning ecosystem, the quality is reliable and aligned with current Power BI updates. The flow is logical — starting from connecting data and ending with creating optimized models.

Pros

✅ Official Microsoft-authored content
✅ Completely free and self-paced
✅ Covers all essential Power BI data preparation concepts
✅ Structured for both beginners and professionals
✅ Includes hands-on exercises and guided steps
✅ Helps in preparing for the Microsoft Data Analyst certification

Cons

❌ No instructor-led support or live mentoring
❌ Limited coverage of visualization and dashboard building
❌ May feel basic for experienced Power BI users
❌ Requires Power BI installation for hands-on practice

Who Should Enroll

This course is ideal for:

• Beginners starting their Power BI journey

• Data analysts looking to strengthen data cleaning and modelling skills

• Excel users transitioning into Power BI analytics

• BI professionals wanting to understand data frameworks and optimization

If you plan to pursue the Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate credential, this course is an excellent starting point.

Duration and Cost

The learning path typically takes around 8–12 hours to complete at a comfortable pace. The best part — it’s completely free, making it a great choice for self-learners and professionals seeking budget-friendly upskilling options.

Career Benefits

After completing this course, you’ll be able to confidently handle data preparation tasks in any organization using Power BI. The skills gained here directly translate into better productivity, cleaner reporting, and more accurate analytics.

Completing this path also gives you a strong foundation for advanced Power BI topics, such as DAX, data visualization, and performance tuning — all of which are crucial for data analytics careers.

Is It Worth It?

Absolutely yes.
The “Prepare Data for Analysis with Power BI” course is a must-learn path for anyone working in analytics or business intelligence. It’s practical, beginner-friendly, and focused on real-world skills that every analyst uses daily.

The fact that it’s free, official, and certification-aligned makes it one of the most valuable Power BI learning resources available.