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Choose Power BI Desktop Introduction if you are new to Power BI and need to learn how to import data, create calculations and build report visuals. Choose Intermediate if you can already create and format basic Power BI reports and are ready for Power Query, relationships, data modelling and DAX.
The two ExperTrain courses are both one day, but they solve different learning needs. Introduction is about becoming comfortable with Power BI Desktop. Intermediate is about moving beyond a single simple dataset and building more structured, analytical reports.
Power BI Introduction vs Intermediate at a glance
Power BI Desktop Introduction covers the Power BI interface, importing Excel data, Report, Table and Model views, basic calculated columns, filters and common visualisations.
Power BI Desktop Intermediate develops Power Query transformations, multiple data sources, relationships, data models, DAX measures and calculated columns, themes, interactive navigation and a wider range of visuals.
Who should take Power BI Desktop Introduction?
Microsoft Power BI Desktop Introduction is designed for beginners and Excel users moving into business intelligence and data visualisation.
You do not need previous Power BI experience. You should, however, be comfortable with core Excel skills such as:
- basic formulas
- absolute cell references
- functions such as SUM, AVERAGE and COUNT
- creating a simple chart
- sorting and filtering data
The course then introduces Power BI Desktop from the beginning.
What do you learn on Power BI Introduction?
The Introduction course covers:
- what Power BI Desktop is and how it fits into the wider Power BI platform
- Report, Table and Model views
- importing an Excel file
- sorting, filtering and formatting data
- creating simple calculated columns
- working with report pages
- using the Filters pane
- creating charts, cards, tables, matrices and slicers
- formatting and editing visuals
- conditional formatting in table visuals
By the end of the day, you should be able to create a straightforward interactive Power BI report from an Excel dataset.
Who should take Power BI Desktop Intermediate?
Microsoft Power BI Desktop Intermediate is intended for people who have completed the Introduction course or already have equivalent practical experience.
You should already be able to:
- open and navigate Power BI Desktop confidently
- import data
- create report pages
- add and format common visuals
- use filters and slicers
- create simple calculations
If those tasks still require step-by-step guidance, Introduction is the safer starting point.
What do you learn on Power BI Intermediate?
The Intermediate course adds several skills that fundamentally change how you build reports.
These include:
- importing Excel and CSV data
- using Power Query Editor
- renaming, removing and reordering columns
- changing data types
- filtering and transforming rows
- merging columns and replacing values
- creating relationships between tables
- working with one-to-many relationships
- creating and reusing themes
- building calculated columns and measures with DAX
- using aggregation, text, logical, filter and date functions
- working with KPI, Matrix, Gauge, Map and Q&A visuals
- using hierarchies and small multiples
- creating buttons, bookmarks and page navigation
- synchronising slicers
What is the biggest difference between the two courses?
The biggest difference is that Introduction is mainly about creating reports, while Intermediate begins teaching you how to prepare and model data properly before creating those reports.
That means Intermediate introduces two major Power BI areas: Power Query and DAX.
Does Power BI Introduction include Power Query?
Not in depth. The Introduction course focuses on bringing an Excel dataset into Power BI and using it to build visuals.
Intermediate introduces Power Query Editor and the transformation steps used to clean and reshape data before it enters the model.
If you regularly receive messy spreadsheets or CSV files, this can be one of the most valuable parts of the Intermediate course.
Does Power BI Introduction include DAX?
Introduction includes simple calculated-column calculations using arithmetic operators.
Intermediate introduces DAX more formally, including calculated columns and measures using functions such as SUM, COUNT, MIN, MAX, AVERAGE, COUNTROWS, DISTINCTCOUNT, IF, CALCULATE, DIVIDE and date or text functions.
For a deeper explanation of the language itself, the planned article What Is DAX in Power BI? will build on this topic.
Do I need to understand data modelling before Intermediate?
No. Data modelling is taught on the Intermediate course.
However, you should already understand the basic Power BI interface and be able to create a simple report. This frees up time to focus on how multiple tables relate to each other.
Our existing guide on Power BI Desktop vs Power BI Service can also help clarify where Desktop fits into the wider platform.
What are relationships in Power BI?
Relationships connect tables using fields that they have in common. For example, a Sales table might contain a Product ID that links to a separate Products table.
The Intermediate course introduces creating, editing and detecting relationships, including one-to-many relationships.
This is an important step beyond beginner Power BI because real-world models often use several related tables rather than one flat spreadsheet.
Is Power BI Intermediate difficult?
Intermediate is a meaningful step up because it combines data preparation, modelling and formulas. The concepts are more technical than simply adding charts to a report.
However, learners who have already built basic Power BI reports generally find the progression logical. Power Query explains how the data is prepared, relationships explain how tables connect, and DAX explains how calculations are created.
Should Excel users start with Power BI Introduction?
Usually, yes. Strong Excel skills are helpful, but Power BI has a different interface and a different way of thinking about data.
An Excel user who understands PivotTables, formulas or Power Query may learn quickly, but Introduction still provides a structured overview of the Power BI report-building environment.
If you already use Power BI independently and can comfortably build report pages with visuals and filters, Intermediate may be more appropriate.
Can I take Introduction and Intermediate on consecutive days?
Yes. This can work well for experienced Excel users who want an intensive route into Power BI.
If Power BI and data analysis are both new to you, leaving some practice time between the courses may help consolidate the Introduction skills.
What comes after Power BI Intermediate?
The natural next step is Microsoft Power BI Desktop Advanced.
By that stage, the focus moves further into data modelling, DAX and more advanced report-building techniques.
If you are deciding whether Power BI is the right tool for your work more generally, see Power BI vs Excel.
A simple decision checklist
Choose Power BI Introduction if:
- you have never used Power BI
- you are an Excel user moving into dashboards and visual reporting
- you need to learn the interface, views, filters and standard visuals
- you have not yet built a complete Power BI report independently
Choose Power BI Intermediate if:
- you already build and format basic reports
- you want to clean data in Power Query
- you need to work with multiple related tables
- you want to learn measures and DAX
- you want more advanced report interaction and navigation
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Power BI experience for Introduction?
No. No prior Power BI experience is required, although a solid working knowledge of Excel is recommended.
Do I have to take Introduction before Intermediate?
No, provided you already have equivalent experience. You should be comfortable creating and formatting basic Power BI reports before attending Intermediate.
Which course teaches Power Query?
Power BI Desktop Intermediate introduces Power Query Editor and common data-transformation techniques.
Which course teaches DAX?
Introduction uses simple calculated columns. Intermediate introduces DAX functions, calculated columns and measures in greater depth.
Which course teaches relationships?
Power BI Desktop Intermediate introduces relationships and one-to-many data modelling.
Do both courses require Power BI Desktop?
Yes. Power BI Desktop should be installed before either course so you can complete the practical exercises.
Which Power BI course should you choose?
If you are new to Power BI, start with Power BI Desktop Introduction. If you can already build basic reports and want to progress into Power Query, relationships and DAX, choose Power BI Desktop Intermediate.
You can also browse the Power BI Glossary for clear explanations of the terminology used throughout both courses.
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