What is the main benefit of a Professional Certificate?

Whether you’re looking to start a new career or change your current one, Professional Certificates help you become job ready. Apply your new skills on hands-on projects that showcase your expertise to potential employers and earn a career credential to kickstart your new career.

What does a Power BI analyst do?

Power BI Data Analysts design, develop, and deploy business analytics dashboards using Microsoft Power BI. Data analysts are essential in helping organizations gain valuable insights into the expanse of data that they have, and they work closely with others in the organization to help reveal valuable information.

What jobs can I get with Power BI data analytics skills?

<text variant="body1">Prepare for a career as a data analyst using Power BI. The Power BI skills you learn in this program prepare you for an entry-level role as a data analyst. An entry-level role as a data analyst is a great starting point and can be the first step towards building a career as a business intelligence analyst, data scientist or data engineer.

Will I be able to complete this course online?

This course is completely online. You can access your lessons, readings, and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Certificate?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Microsoft PL-300 Exam Preparation and Practice

Name: Microsoft PL-300 Exam Preparation and Practice
Rating: 4.637362637362638 (728 reviews)

This course is part of Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate

Instructor: Microsoft

Included with Learn more

Learner favorite

Earn a credential from this top 1% learning program

74,683

Enrolled learners

728 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Learner favorite

Earn a credential from this top 1% learning program

74,683

Enrolled learners

728 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

What you'll learn

Prepare the data with Power BI.
Model, visualize, and analyze the data in Power BI.
How to deploy and maintain Power BI assets.
NEW [optional] Generative AI for Power BI.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

16 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

Flexible schedule

4 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your Data Analysis expertise

This course is part of the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate from Microsoft

There are 5 modules in this course

This course forms part of the Microsoft Power BI Analyst Professional Certificate. This Professional Certificate consists of a series of courses that offer a good starting point for a career in data analysis using Microsoft Power BI.

This course will help you prepare for the Microsoft PL-300 exam. In this course, you’ll refresh your knowledge of all the key areas assessed in the Microsoft-certified Exam PL-300: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst. In addition, you will prepare for the certification exam by taking a mock exam with a similar format and content as in the Microsoft PL-300 exam. You’ll also get tips and tricks, testing strategies, useful resources, and information on how to sign up for the Microsoft PL-300 proctored exam. This course is a great way to prepare for the Microsoft PL-300 exam. By passing the PL-300 exam, you’ll earn the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst certification. Earning a Microsoft Certification is globally recognized evidence of real-world skills. After completing this course, you'll be able to: ● Prepare the data ● Model the data ● Visualize and analyze the data ● Deploy and maintain assets

In this module, you will review how preparing data is covered on the PL-300 exam. You will focus on the core concepts involved in connecting to data sources, addressing data quality issues, and shaping and loading data in Power BI.

What's included

13 videos26 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt

13 videosTotal 58 minutes

Course introduction5 minutes
Introduction to preparing for the exam4 minutes
Identify and connect to a data source4 minutes
DirectQuery, Import, and Dual mode4 minutes
Parameter values4 minutes
Connecting to a dataflow4 minutes
Evaluating data, data statistics, and column properties6 minutes
Resolve inconsistencies and data quality issues4 minutes
Create and transform columns5 minutes
Identify when to use reference queries4 minutes
Merge and append queries6 minutes
Table relationships4 minutes
Module summary: Preparing data4 minutes

26 readingsTotal 395 minutes

Course syllabus10 minutes
Additional resources: Microsoft PL-300 Exam resources5 minutes
How to prepare for the proctored examination10 minutes
How the exam is administered10 minutes
Topics covered in the Exam PL-300: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst10 minutes
Testing strategy10 minutes
Additional resources: Microsoft certification5 minutes
Connectors in Power BI10 minutes
Shared dataset or local dataset10 minutes
Activity: Set up a data source30 minutes
Managing data sources10 minutes
Microsoft Dataverse10 minutes
In-depth: Get data from data sources10 minutes
Additional resources: Get data from data sources5 minutes
Activity: Analyze a dataset30 minutes
Activity: Resolve data import errors30 minutes
In-depth: Profiling and cleaning data10 minutes
Additional resources: Profiling and cleaning data5 minutes
Activity: Shape and transform tables30 minutes
Activity: Table Transformations in Power Query30 minutes
Splitting column data10 minutes
Activity: Sorting columns30 minutes
Activity: Configure data loading for queries30 minutes
Activity: Find top performing products30 minutes
In-depth: Transform and load data10 minutes
Additional resources: Transform and load data5 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Power BI Data Storage, Access, and Shared Dataset Fundamentals15 minutes
Power Query Data Profiling and Error Handling Check15 minutes
Power BI Fundamentals: Data Transformation and Modeling15 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

How do you prepare for the PL-300 Exam?10 minutes

In this module, you will review key concepts related to modeling data in Power BI for the PL-300 exam, including data model design, DAX calculations, model implementation, and performance optimization.

What's included

13 videos20 readings4 assignments

13 videosTotal 66 minutes

Designing a schema4 minutes
Implementing role-playing dimensions5 minutes
Using CALCULATE to manipulate filters4 minutes
Cardinality and cross-filter direction6 minutes
Calculated Columns4 minutes
Single aggregation measures5 minutes
Implement time intelligence measures7 minutes
Additive, semi-additive and non-additive measures4 minutes
Calculated tables6 minutes
Data hierachies6 minutes
Using the Performance Analyzer5 minutes
Improve performancing via cardinality and summarization6 minutes
Module summary: Modeling data5 minutes

20 readingsTotal 360 minutes

Activity: Configure table and column properties30 minutes
Activity: Common date tables30 minutes
In-depth: Design a data model10 minutes
Additional resources: Design a data model5 minutes
Activity: Add a SUM aggregation measure30 minutes
Activity: Replacing implicit measures30 minutes
Statistical functions cheatsheet10 minutes
Activity: Create a semi-additive measure30 minutes
Path DAX functions10 minutes
In-depth: Create model calculations using DAX10 minutes
Additional Resources: Create model calculations using DAX5 minutes
Activity: Adding a calculated table30 minutes
Activity: Creating a report hierarchy30 minutes
Activity: Add an Index Column30 minutes
In-depth: Implement a data model10 minutes
Additional Resources: Implement a data model5 minutes
Activity: Optimal data types and reducing data30 minutes
Best practices for SQL data sources10 minutes
In-depth: Optimize model performance10 minutes
Additional resources: Optimize model performance5 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 61 minutes

Self-review: What did you learn?18 minutes
Self-review: What did you learn?15 minutes
Self-Review: What did you learn?18 minutes
Self-review: What did you learn?10 minutes

In this module, you will review how to visualize and analyze data in Power BI for the PL-300 exam. You will work with core concepts for creating reports, improving report usability and storytelling, and identifying patterns and trends by using features such as filtering, navigation, interactions, AI visuals, anomaly detection, grouping, binning, metrics, and reference lines.

What's included

14 videos24 readings3 assignments

14 videosTotal 71 minutes

Using appropriate visualizations5 minutes
Configuring and formatting visualizations4 minutes
Slicing and filtering3 minutes
Report navigation and sorting6 minutes
Interactions between visuals6 minutes
Sync slicers4 minutes
Group and layer visuals by using the Selection pane4 minutes
Design reports for mobile devices5 minutes
Detect outliers and anomalies5 minutes
Grouping and binning data5 minutes
AI visuals6 minutes
Reference lines and error bars6 minutes
Scorecards and metrics5 minutes
Module Summary: Visualize and Analyze data6 minutes

24 readingsTotal 525 minutes

Activity: Format and configure visualizations30 minutes
Activity: Conditional formatting30 minutes
Activity: Configure the report page30 minutes
Activity: Use a custom visual30 minutes
Activity: Using the Play Axis visualization30 minutes
Export and printing reports10 minutes
Activity: Exporting and Importing Themes30 minutes
In-depth: Creating reports10 minutes
Additional Resources: Creating reports5 minutes
Activity: Configure a bookmark30 minutes
Activity: Create custom tooltips30 minutes
Conditional formatting for buttons10 minutes
Activity: Apply sorting30 minutes
What is published with a report?10 minutes
Activity: Using the Q&A feature for reports30 minutes
Activity: Add the Q&A feature to a dashboard30 minutes
In-depth: Enhance Reports for usability and storytelling10 minutes
Additional resources: Enhance reports for usability and storytelling5 minutes
Activity: Anomaly detection30 minutes
Activity: Grouping data30 minutes
Activity: Binning data30 minutes
Activity: Using the Analyze feature30 minutes
In-depth: Identify patterns and trends10 minutes
Additional Resources: Identify patterns and trends5 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Self-Review: What did you learn?24 minutes
Self-review: What did you learn?21 minutes
Self-Review: What did you learn?15 minutes

In this module, you will review the core concepts used to deploy and maintain Power BI assets for the PL-300 exam. You will focus on workspaces, workspace roles, apps, dashboards, sensitivity labels, subscriptions, alerts, and content endorsement, along with dataset management concepts such as gateways, scheduled refresh, row-level security, and dataset access.

What's included

8 videos10 readings2 assignments

8 videosTotal 45 minutes

Workspaces and workspace roles5 minutes
Workspace apps5 minutes
Subscriptions and data alerts4 minutes
Promote or certify Power BI content5 minutes
Data gateways7 minutes
Row-level security8 minutes
Providing access to datasets6 minutes
Module Summary: Deploy and maintain assets5 minutes

10 readingsTotal 170 minutes

Activity: Create a workspace30 minutes
Publish, import, or update assets in a workspace10 minutes
Activity: Create dashboards30 minutes
Activity: Apply sensitivity labels30 minutes
Global options for files10 minutes
In-depth: Create and manage workspaces and assets10 minutes
Additional Resources: Deploy and maintain assets5 minutes
Activity: Configure a dataset scheduled refresh30 minutes
In-depth: Manage datasets10 minutes
Additional Resources: Manage datasets5 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 30 minutes

Self-Review: What did you learn?15 minutes
Self-Review: What did you learn?15 minutes

In this module, you will bring together what you’ve learned across the course as you prepare for the PL-300 practice exam. You will review how core Power BI skills connect across the data analyst workflow, examine how Microsoft Copilot supports business and reporting tasks, and consider how AI can assist with report design and DAX troubleshooting. You will also reflect on your learning and identify next steps in your Power BI journey.

What's included

7 videos8 readings4 assignments3 discussion prompts

7 videosTotal 36 minutes

Introduction to the PL-300 Exam5 minutes
Understanding Microsoft Copilot6 minutes
Understanding Copilot for Power BI Specialists5 minutes
Enhancing Report Design with AI-assisted Tasks4 minutes
Mastering DAX Formulas with Copilot6 minutes
Congratulations5 minutes
Day in the life4 minutes

8 readingsTotal 80 minutes

Preparing for the exam10 minutes
Microsoft PL-300 Practice Assessment10 minutes
Sign-up for the proctored exam10 minutes
Navigating the risks and challenges when using Generative AI tools10 minutes
Enhancing Power BI Reports with Copilot10 minutes
Congratulations and looking forward10 minutes
Career opportunities through learning10 minutes
Next steps10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 210 minutes

Troubleshooting DAX Formulas with Bing Copilot10 minutes
DAX Troubleshooting and Validation20 minutes
Lesson Quiz: Microsoft Generative AI for Power BI30 minutes
PL-300 Mock Exam150 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 30 minutes

Which study techniques and strategies were the most helpful?10 minutes
Exam reflections10 minutes
Reflect on learning10 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(184 ratings)

Microsoft

485 Courses3,007,569 learners

Offered by

Microsoft

Explore more from Data Analysis

Microsoft
Data Analysis and Visualization with Power BI
Course
Microsoft
Preparing Data for Analysis with Microsoft Excel
Course
Status: Trending right now
Microsoft
Extract, Transform and Load Data in Power BI
Course
Microsoft
Creative Designing in Power BI
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

5 stars
77.18%
4 stars
15.16%
3 stars
3.82%
2 stars
1.22%
1 star
2.59%

Showing 3 of 728

5.0

Reviewed on May 27, 2025

It is highly recommended course to become a Power BI professional!

4.0

Reviewed on Oct 26, 2024

I think there should be more practise exercises for each topic

5.0

Reviewed on Dec 8, 2025

View more reviews

What brings you to Coursera today?

Start my career

Change my career

Grow in my current role

Explore topics outside of work

Unlock access to 10,000+ courses with a subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 4,700 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Frequently asked questions

This program is for you:

● If you want to switch or start a career in the field of data analytics.

● If you are interested in the field of data analytics, just beginning to work with business intelligence and data analysis solutions and services, or new to Microsoft Power BI.

You don’t need any background knowledge to take this Professional Certificate. Whether you’re just starting out or a professional in a relevant field, this program can be the right fit for you.

It typically takes 5 months to complete the 8 courses. But some learners may go through the content faster.

Once you have completed this Professional Certificate, you’ll have built a foundational knowledge of the key concepts and tools in Power BI and how they apply to a business environment including:

• The ability to implement best practices when conducting Data Analysis.

• The skills to use the visualization and report capabilities of Power BI to create compelling reports and dashboards.

• The ability to provide valuable data insights that help to inform business decisions.

We highly recommend taking the courses of each certificate program in the order they are presented. The content in the courses builds on information from earlier courses. The final course contains a practice exam that assesses your knowledge of the content covered in the previous courses. As such, it makes the most sense to take the courses in the order they are presented.

To access course materials, assignments, and earn a Certificate, you'll need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. Eligible learners may also have the option to start with a Free Trial. Some courses may also offer a Full Course, No Certificate option. This lets you access course materials, submit required assessments, and receive a final grade, but you won't be able to earn or purchase a Certificate.

Microsoft PL-300 Exam Preparation and Practice

Microsoft PL-300 Exam Preparation and Practice

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Build your Data Analysis expertise

There are 5 modules in this course

Preparing Data

What's included

Modeling Data

What's included

Visualize and analyze data

What's included

Deploy and maintain assets

What's included

Practice Exam

What's included

Earn a career certificate

Instructor

Offered by

Explore more from Data Analysis

Data Analysis and Visualization with Power BI

Preparing Data for Analysis with Microsoft Excel

Extract, Transform and Load Data in Power BI

Creative Designing in Power BI

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Jennifer J.

Larry W.

Chaitanya A.

Learner reviews

What brings you to Coursera today?

Unlock access to 10,000+ courses with a subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Join over 4,700 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Frequently asked questions

Who is this program for?

What background knowledge is necessary?

How long does it take to complete the Professional Certificate?

More questions