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Article 1: Foundations of Accurate Data Visualization in PowerBI

Writer: InAudioInAudio
Mar 13 min read

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PowerBI is a powerful tool for business data analysis, but its effectiveness depends on the accuracy of the data and visualizations. This article covers the foundational steps necessary for creating reliable PowerBI reports.


1. Data Preparation and Cleaning


A healthcare technology company optimized their Power BI dashboards by refactoring data models, pipelines, and transformations. This resulted in improved dashboard performance and reduced page load times, especially when accessed over low-bandwidth connections3.


  • Clean and structure your data using Power Query Editor


  • Convert data types and formats for consistency


  • Use query folding to improve performance by processing data at the source

Data preparation ensures your data is consistent and ready for analysis. It's a crucial first step in creating accurate visualizations.



2. Proper Data Modeling


Amul, an Indian dairy giant, used Power BI to enhance its supply chain management. By implementing dimensional modeling, they integrated data from milk collection to product distribution, enabling real-time analytics that improved efficiency and reduced time from farm to store.


  • Create relationships between tables using a star schema approach


  • Add calculated columns and measures to derive new insights


  • Build data hierarchies to allow users to drill down from summary to detail


Good data modeling organizes your data logically, making it easier to analyze and visualize.



3. Normalizing Data Sets


A basketball analytics team used Power BI to normalize player performance data. They applied min-max normalization to standardize points scored across different teams, allowing for fair comparisons between players.


Convert all measurements to a common unit across data sources


Use ratios or percentages when comparing data of different scales


Apply statistical normalization techniques to handle outliers and variations


Normalization makes data from different sources comparable, ensuring fair and accurate analysis.



4. Choosing Appropriate Visualizations


In a COVID-19 analysis project, analysts used bar charts for comparing case numbers across regions, point maps for geographical distribution, line charts for tracking trends over time, and donut charts for analyzing cases by category.


  • Use bar charts for comparisons, line charts for trends over time


  • Implement maps for geographical data and KPIs for key metrics


  • Keep visualizations simple and focused on the main message


Select visualizations that best represent your data and convey your message clearly.



5. Clear and Consistent Formatting


Zillow implemented Power BI for real estate market insights, using consistent formatting across their visualizations. This allowed them to effectively analyze market dynamics and property trends, leading to better market predictions and enhanced customer service.


  • Use a consistent color scheme and font style throughout the report


  • Align and space visualizations for a clean, organized look


  • Clearly label all elements including axes, legends, and data points


Consistent formatting makes reports easy to read and understand.



6. Performance Optimization


Metro Bank automated its financial reporting using Power BI. By implementing performance optimization techniques, they improved data collection processes and reporting efficiency while maintaining data integrity and compliance.


  • Use the Performance Analyzer to identify and fix bottlenecks


  • Summarize and aggregate data to reduce the number of data points


  • Implement filters to limit data load and improve responsiveness


Optimize your reports to ensure they run smoothly, especially with large datasets.



Article Validity, creation and authority.


This article was created using a combination of three AI programs: Perplexity, Gemini, and ChatGPT. The content was developed based on information provided by Rajen at InAudio, tailored to the profile of a company currently enrolled in Business English classes with InAudio. It was refined and supplemented with relevant statistics and insights to address the company's current and future needs.


Sources used in this article:



 
 
 

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