Power BI, Query, VBA & SAP Tools Course

Lesson 1 • Introduction to Power BI Desktop

Navigate the Power BI Desktop interface and understand the report, data, and model views. Establishes the visual context for all subsequent Power BI chapters.

Lesson 2 • Introduction to SAP GUI Navigation

Log in, navigate transaction codes, and export data from SAP GUI. Provides the SAP literacy needed to extract data for Power BI and Excel workflows.

Lesson 3 • Core Excel Formulas and Functions

Apply lookup, logical, and aggregation functions to solve business problems. These functions form the calculation layer that VBA and Power Query later automate.

Lesson 4 • Data Types and Formatting Essentials

Distinguish numeric, text, date, and logical data types and apply correct formatting. Proper typing prevents errors in formulas, queries, and Power BI models.

Lesson 1 • Query Parameters and Refresh Settings

Create dynamic parameters to make queries reusable and configure scheduled refresh. Parameterisation reduces manual rework when source paths or filters change.

Lesson 2 • Cleaning and Shaping Data

Remove duplicates, handle nulls, split columns, and change data types. Clean data is the prerequisite for accurate models and reliable reports.

Lesson 3 • Grouping, Pivoting, and Unpivoting

Aggregate rows with Group By and reshape wide or tall data with pivot and unpivot. Reshaping is essential for creating tidy datasets for analysis.

Lesson 4 • Combining Queries with Merge and Append

Join tables using merge and stack datasets using append operations. These operations replicate SQL joins inside Power Query without writing code.

Lesson 1 • Conditional Logic and Error Handling

Apply if-then-else expressions and try-otherwise blocks to handle edge cases. Robust error handling prevents query failures on unexpected source data.

Lesson 2 • M Language Syntax and Structure

Understand let expressions, step references, and the M type system. Syntax mastery enables reading and editing auto-generated code with confidence.

Lesson 3 • Working with Lists, Records, and Tables

Manipulate M's three core data structures using built-in library functions. These structures underlie every transformation step in Power Query.

Lesson 4 • Performance Optimisation in Power Query

Apply query folding principles and diagnose slow steps using query diagnostics. Optimised queries reduce load times in both Excel and Power BI.

Lesson 1 • DAX Variables and Formatting Best Practices

Use VAR and RETURN to simplify complex expressions and apply measure formatting. Clean, readable DAX reduces maintenance effort and calculation errors.

Lesson 2 • DAX Syntax and Calculated Columns

Write DAX expressions for calculated columns and understand row context. Calculated columns extend tables with derived attributes used in visuals and filters.

Lesson 3 • Building and Managing Relationships

Create active and inactive relationships and configure cross-filter direction. Relationship settings directly control how slicers and visuals interact.

Lesson 4 • Core DAX Measures and Aggregations

Build measures using SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, and DISTINCTCOUNT with filter context. Measures are the primary calculation mechanism for dynamic report values.

Lesson 1 • Publishing and Sharing Reports

Publish reports to Power BI Service, configure workspaces, and set sharing permissions. Proper publishing ensures the right audience accesses current data.

Lesson 2 • Slicers, Filters, and Interactions

Configure slicers, page filters, and visual-level filters to control report interactivity. Proper filter design ensures users explore data without confusion.

Lesson 3 • Drill-Through, Tooltips, and Bookmarks

Enable drill-through pages, custom tooltips, and bookmark-based navigation. These features transform static reports into guided analytical experiences.

Lesson 4 • Report Formatting and Branding

Apply themes, custom colours, fonts, and layout grids for a professional look. Consistent branding increases stakeholder trust and report readability.

Lesson 1 • Variables, Data Types, and Scope

Declare variables with correct data types and control their scope and lifetime. Proper variable management prevents type mismatch errors and memory leaks.

Lesson 2 • Control Flow: Loops and Conditionals

Apply If-Then-Else, Select Case, For-Next, and Do-While constructs. Control flow enables macros to make decisions and process data in bulk.

Lesson 3 • Procedures, Functions, and Error Handling

Write reusable Sub and Function procedures and implement On Error error handling. Structured code and error trapping make macros reliable in production.

Lesson 4 • The VBA Editor and Project Structure

Navigate the Visual Basic Editor, understand modules, and configure macro security. A solid IDE setup is the prerequisite for all VBA development.

Lesson 1 • Automating Charts and Pivot Tables

Create, format, and refresh charts and PivotTables programmatically. Automated reporting objects eliminate manual chart rebuilding after data updates.

Lesson 2 • File System and Workbook Automation

Open, save, copy, and loop through files using VBA file system methods. File automation enables batch processing of reports and data extracts.

Lesson 3 • Interacting with Outlook and Word via VBA

Use late binding to send emails from Outlook and write content to Word documents. Cross-application automation delivers complete reporting workflows from Excel.

Lesson 4 • Event-Driven Programming and Scheduling

Trigger macros on workbook, worksheet, and application events and schedule runs. Event-driven design makes workbooks respond automatically to user actions.

Lesson 1 • Extracting SAP Data for Power BI

Connect Power BI to SAP BW and SAP HANA using certified connectors. Direct connectivity eliminates manual export steps and enables scheduled refresh.

Lesson 2 • Automating SAP Exports with VBA

Use VBA to trigger SAP GUI scripting and automate data extraction routines. Scripted exports replace manual transaction execution for recurring reports.

Lesson 3 • End-to-End Reporting Pipeline Design

Combine SAP extraction, Power Query transformation, and Power BI publishing into one workflow. Pipeline design ensures data freshness and reduces manual intervention.

Lesson 4 • SAP Analysis for Microsoft Office

Connect Analysis for Office to BEx queries, navigate hierarchies, and apply filters. Analysis for Office bridges SAP data directly into Excel for ad-hoc analysis.