Microsoft Power BI Performance Best Practices

Maximize the effectiveness of your Power BI solutions through performance optimization and drive superior business outcomes

Key Features

• Learn how to build performant data models and apply row-level security
• Identify and fix performance issues in reports, DAX, and datasets using DAX Studio and VertiPaq Analyzer
• Implement a formal process for performance management, from setting targets to monitoring and remediating issues
• Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Book Description

In a world dominated by data, organizations heavily rely on business intelligence tools like Power BI for deriving insights and informed decision-making. Yet, as data volumes grow and user demands increase, achieving optimal performance becomes challenging. Author Thomas LeBlanc, a seasoned Business Intelligence Architect with over 30 years of IT experience, draws on his extensive expertise to guide you in overcoming challenges related to slow performance, data modeling, query optimization, visualization design, deployment, administration, integration, compliance, and security.

This book covers topics ranging from architecture and data modeling to Power BI premium features, DAX formulas, and collaboration, helping you to gain a deep understanding of the Power BI architecture, design efficient data models, create efficient queries, and improve visualization performance. You’ll also learn best practices to deploy and manage Power BI solutions, integrate with other tools and systems, ensure compliance and security, and collaborate with team members.

By the end of the book, you’ll have developed your knowledge and skills to design, build, and maintain high-performing, scalable, and efficient Power BI solutions to drive unparalleled business success.

What you will learn

• Master setting realistic performance targets and proactively addressing performance challenges
• Understand the impact of architectural choices and configurations on performance optimization
• Develop streamlined Power BI reports and enhance data transformations for optimal efficiency
• Explore best practices for data modeling, mastering DAX, and handling large datasets effectively
• Gain insight into the intricate workings of Power BI Premium for enhanced performance
• Harness the potential of Azure services for extreme scale data processing

Who this book is for

If you are a data analyst, BI developer, or a data professional who wants to maximize the performance of your Power BI solutions and understand how to build advanced analytics solutions, this book is for you. It assumes familiarity with the major components of Power BI and a beginner-level understanding of their purpose and use cases.

Table of Contents

1. Setting Targets and Identifying Problem Areas
2. Exploring Power BI Architecture and Configuration
3. Learning the Tools for Performance Tuning
4. Analyzing Logs and Metrics
5. Optimization for Storage Modes
6. Third-Party Utilities
7. Performance Governance Framework
8. Loading, Transforming, and Refreshing Data
9. Report and Dashboard Design
10. Dimensional Modeling and Row-level Security
11. Improving DAX
12. High-Scale Patterns
13. Working with Capacities
14. Performance Needs for Fabric Artifacts
15. Embedding in Web Apps

Thomas LeBlanc is a seasoned Business Intelligence Architect at Data on the Geaux, where he applies his extensive skillset in dimensional modeling, data visualization, and analytical modeling to deliver robust solutions. With a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from Louisiana State University, Thomas has amassed over 30 years of experience in Information Technology, transitioning from roles as a software developer and database administrator to his current expertise in business intelligence and data warehouse architecture and management. Throughout his career, Thomas has spearheaded numerous impactful projects, including consulting for various companies on Power BI implementation, serving as lead database administrator for a major home health care company, and overseeing the implementation of Power BI and Analysis Service for a large bank. He has also contributed his insights as an author to the Power BI MVP book. Thomas is recognized as a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and is actively engaged in the tech community through his social media presence, notably as TheSmilinDBA on Twitter and ThePowerBIDude on Bluesky and Mastodon. With a passion for solving real-world business challenges with technology, Thomas continues to drive innovation in the field of business intelligence.

Bhavik Merchant has nearly 18 years of deep experience in Business Intelligence. He is currently the Director of Product Analytics at Salesforce. Prior to that, he was at Microsoft, first as a Cloud Solution Architect and then as a Product Manager in the Power BI Engineering team. At Power BI, he led the customer-facing insights program, being responsible for the strategy and technical framework to deliver system-wide usage and performance insights to customers. Before Microsoft, Bhavik spent years managing high-caliber consulting teams delivering enterprise-scale BI projects. He has provided extensive technical and theoretical BI training over the years, including expert Power BI performance training he developed for top Microsoft Partners globally.