Program Overview

Exciting things are happening in the Power BI platform! As Microsoft keeps investing in the leading platform for data analytics, it can be easy to lose track of the big picture. In this session, we share the latest developments in Power BI not just on a feature level, but positioned within a framework that will help you understand where Power BI is going and why.

Microsoft's visuals team has started a revolution that is taking native Power BI visuals to another level. Discover how to combine power, flexibility and creativity when designing new visualizations from the native ones using Power BI's own functionalities. Learn how to add value to your visualizations with small but big TIPS in the development of the most common visual objects used in Power BI. We will apply different formats in bar and column charts, we will use different labeling, we will add conditional formats that show the maximum and minimum values in different cases, we will include arrows in the chart itself that show differences between periods, overlapping bars in column visuals, percentage variations over time in line charts, new charts from analytics (dumbbells, lollipop, lipstick, .... ), bar segmentation to highlight values, ... A whole world to explore to improve and visually display data in a much more realistic way using the features included in Power BI and that most of us were unaware of until now.

The Key Influencers visualization is a powerful tool in the Power BI toolbox. Leveraging machine learning algorithms, it uncovers correlations within your data, highlighting attributes that differ significantly from each other. The visual enables users to discover statistically significant insights, empowering them to make informed, data-driven decisions. In the second part of our session, we delve into creating a linear regression for detailed analysis and predictions. Linear regression is a robust method for understanding relationships between variables and forecasting future trends. By using the LINESTX function, which employs the Least Squares method, you can find the best-fitting line for a set of data points, providing a clear and accurate analysis.

In any organization, the Finance team is naturally driven by data and analytics. Microsoft Fabric offers a self-service approach that makes new technologies accessible to business users. However, to address all concerns about risks and gouvernance and avoid building additional technical debt, these tools need to be deployed as part of an overall data / AI strategy.

Rishi and Leon will demonstrate Low/No Code approaches by connecting to finance data in a secure and efficient way, Data Consolidation and Cleaning by using Fabric Copilot and notebooks to reshape transactional data and using AI Solutions.

The session will culminate in the creation of a month-end board pack in Power BI. Stakeholders can self-serve through visual interactions and Power BI Copilot, supported by a set of connected artifacts in Fabric that the finance team can maintain.

Let’s dive into the journey of creating a custom connector in Power Query.
The session starts by understanding the basics of Power Query, learning about its key features, and grasping the importance of data shaping and cleaning.
Next, we get acquainted with Visual Studio Code (VS Code), a powerful tool that will be our companion throughout this journey. We install the Power Query (PQ) Extension and explore its features, realizing how it simplifies the process of creating custom connectors.
With the tools ready, we begin the actual creation of the custom connector. We implement OAuth2 authorization. We set up the project and integrate OAuth2 authorization. Testing and debugging become crucial steps, ensuring the connector works flawlessly.
Finally, we connect the custom connector to Power BI. We import data seamlessly and set up automatic refreshes.

Information will follow soon! This will be an advanced and new DAX topic, about the new features and possiblilties.

This insightful session transforms an traditional Excel-based credit rating model into a modern, interactive, and scalable solutions using Power BI and Microsoft Fabric. Discover innovative techniques to enhance financial modeling and storytelling through advanced analytics and integration capabilities. We are looking at Replicating Complex Rating Logic or how to translate intricate credit rating formulas and methodologies from Excel into DAX, ensuring consistency and accuracy. Next is to create interactive Insights: utilize slicers, bookmarks, and contextual visualizations in Power BI to enable dynamic comparisons and highlight key drivers of credit ratings which lead to streamlined Reporting: Design intuitive and user-friendly reports that empower stakeholders to explore insights interactively. At the end we look at scalability with Microsoft Fabric: Leverage the Medallion Lakehouse architecture for seamless data integration, metadata management, and enterprise-level collaboration.