Microsoft provided a great solution to business analytics by introducing a visually appealing analytic tool Power BI. However, even with the visual help, Power BI still comes with a steep learning curve.
If you’ve been trying to learn Power BI and move up from the beginner’s stage, chances are you’ve been looking at various sources to learn from.
However, there’s a lot of information on the internet that contradicts itself and it might seem like there’s no reliable source to learn from.
Yet, instead of learning from the internet, I recommend learning from books. Yes, good old books, as they often provide the best information on specific topics such as Power BI.
Down below, you can find some of the best Power BI books for all levels and even learn why is it that Power BI books are the main learning choice.
15 Best Power BI Books
Down below, I’ll review 15 of the best Power BI books that are affordable, easy to get, and yet provide information suitable for everyone’s level. Therefore, whether you’re only starting, need a bit more information, or you’re looking to take data analytics to another level – keep on reading!
1. Mastering Microsoft Power BI
If you’re looking for trusted information, there’s no better book than Mastering Microsoft Power BI by Brett Powell.
Brett Powell is the owner of Frontline Analytics which is a Microsoft Power BI partner. Therefore, is there a better way to learn rather than to learn from someone who has been around Power BI since it was introduced?
Other than sharing all of his knowledge at the Microsoft technology events, Brett Powell wrote a couple of books sharing his knowledge.
Therefore, Mastering Microsoft Power BI is our top book pick as it will teach you how to master the dashboard and reporting features, combine data from multiple sources, and even create stunning visuals that will make your published reports attractive and easy to read.
The book is available both in Kindle and paperback versions so you can get down to learning the ins and outs of Power BI straight away!
Also Read: How To Use Power BI On Mac
2. Power BI MVP Book
If you already have a lot of experience using Power BI but you think that there’s room to improve and learn everything there is to know about Power BI, then the Power BI MVP book is a great choice.
Power BI MVP was written by 21 authors who are all experts in the industry and have been using Microsoft Power BI since it was released.
Each expert shares an article that’s focusing on a particular subject. Therefore, this is not the typical book you can learn from, but it’s a book that combines the ins and outs of Power BI from the experience and knowledge of the most knowledgeable users.
In this book, you will learn anything from AI, architecture, data modeling & data preparation, to DAX, issues in the enterprise, and even integration.
Power BI MVP is available in both Kindle and paperback formats so you even get to choose how you would like to learn from these MVPs.
Explore: Power BI Dashboard Vs Report
3. Power BI: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
If you love everything Power BI has to provide and you’re especially interested in creating stunning visualizations from your data, then this book is the right choice.
This book provides a complete step-by-step guide that teaches you how to make the most of your data using Power BI.
On top of that, you’ll also learn how to utilize intelligence capabilities such as reports, models, interactive dashboards, and more.
All of this will take a complete beginner to a data analyst who knows how to put their data to work.
Power BI: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide is written by two experts in the industry, and even though there aren’t many screenshots and illustrations, this makes this book suitable for download as an Audiobook along with the standard paperback or Kindle format.
Interesting Comparison: Power BI Vs Tableau
4. Microsoft Power BI Dashboard: Step-by-Step
The Power BI dashboard can seem overwhelming at first and if you’re struggling to keep up or find your way around the software, this is the book for you.
Microsoft Power BI Dashboard: Step-by-Step by Errin O’Connor is an ideal book for beginners who are trying to get a handle on the software before learning anything else.
From there, you’ll learn how to build analysis dashboards that will help you in the long run. All guidance, examples, and even code are provided so you won’t ever come to a stop with this book.
The book claims that it’s suitable for everyone who has never had any experience with Power BI so put your fear aside and take action that will get you into the world of data analysis in a visual way.
You can grab the book in a Kindle format or as a paperback.
5. Power BI: An Advanced Guide to Learn the Advanced Realms of Power BI
If you’ve been using Power BI for a while and you think you’re finding your way around and can do wonders with it, yet you believe that there’s much more to learn, this is the book for you.
Keep in mind that this book isn’t for beginners yet it’s for everyone who has had experience with Power BI and is looking to take their skills to the next level.
With that being said, Daniel Jones will teach you how to take leverage of your data, combine it with visualizations, and get the most from the reporting tools.
The book reaches some advanced topics regarding the software so if you’ve been wondering about advanced features of the software, you’ll probably find your answers here.
Another great thing about the book is that it’s available in both Kindle and paperback formats so you can learn the way you prefer the most.
6. Power BI: Moving Beyond the Basics of Power BI and Learning about DAX Language
Getting a hang of the software is a good starting point and as soon as you finish any of the beginner books, you might want to continue learning.
If that’s the case, this book is a perfect choice as it teaches you advanced and better ways to visualize your data.
On top of that, this book combines Power BI with DAX and teaches you different functions you can get from the software combining these two.
Even if you aren’t interested in combining DAX with Power BI, I still recommend this book as it teaches a lot of advanced information related to Power BI alone.
Excel might not always be the most suitable solution and if you’ve realized that at this point, learning Power BI further is guaranteed with this book.
Another great thing is that this book is available in Kindle and paperback formats, but also as an Audiobook so you can learn even when you’re on the go.
7. Power BI: 3 in 1 Beginner Guide + Tips & Tricks
If you’d like to kickstart your learning journey and learn as much as possible from one book, then the Power BI: 3 in 1 Beginner Guide is everything you’ll need.
Not only does this book provide a great guide for everyone who’s just starting their Power BI journey, but it also includes tips and tricks that will help you quickly get a hang of the software.
The topics covered in this book touch on dashboard sharing, loading data from different data sources into the software, transformation of the data, and even data modeling.
Each topic is well explained with the help of tutorials that are easy to follow which will have you learn skills and your way around the Power BI to efficiently take your data and visualize it across dashboards.
This book comes available in Kindle and Paperback, but also Audiobook which is ideal for everyone who loves learning while driving.
8. Power BI: Business Intelligence Clinic – Create and Learn
If you are looking forward to taking advantage of everything Power BI offers for your business, this book is the right choice.
In this book, you will learn everything from installing Power BI to your computer to getting data, modeling your data, creating visual reports, sales dashboards, and more.
I have to let you know that this isn’t the book that goes into deep theories. However, it’s a go-to book if you’re looking to quickly catch up and learn as much as possible about the software.
Let this book help you start your Power BI journey and from there, you can always pivot and find training that will take you to another level.
9. Power Pivot and Power BI
Excel might not be enough, but luckily, Microsoft provides a wide range of free tools that can be very useful in various situations.
Power Pivot and Power BI is a great book that won’t only teach you more about Power BI, but it will teach you something about almost every tool from Microsoft’s lineup.
This includes DAX, Power Query, Power Pivot, and Power BI you can integrate into Excel and kickstart your journey towards data analysis.
Most people are very comfortable with Excel and switching completely to new software is not a viable solution.
Therefore, let this book help you learn more about Microsoft tools so you can find out what works the best for you and how to integrate it into Excel. This way, you will be able to produce new types of reports and analyses which is something that wasn’t very possible only using Excel.
10. Beginning Microsoft Power BI: Practical Guide to Self-Service Data Analytics
If you’re a data analyst and you’re thinking of switching to Power BI, this is the ultimate guide that will teach you everything you need to know about self-service data analytics using Power BI.
This book provides an easy-to-follow guide that will teach you how to analyze a company’s data and use all of the tools available to make your work easier.
You’ll be able to learn how to build various data models and sort through different data sources to create visually compelling (and professional) visuals.
What’s so great about this book is that it guides you through the whole process from start to finish and as a result, you’ll learn how to create professional data reports everyone in your company will love.
On top of that, you can get this book in paperback or Kindle formats so you can learn the way you prefer.
11. Supercharge Power BI: Power BI is Better When You Learn to Write DAX
It’s no secret that everyone who knows DAX can get more out of Power BI and this book is for everyone who’s trying to learn to write DAX and yet take full advantage of Power BI.
Supercharge Power BI is written by Matt Allington who is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and he specializes in teaching and helping professionals to take full advantage of Power BI.
Inside his book, you will find needed concepts along with the hands-on engaging practice that will make learning simple and effortless.
You’ll be able to learn necessary skills (and even master them) to take full advantage of Microsoft tools to create the best possible data reports in Power BI that you can export and use almost anywhere else.
12. The Definitive Guide to DAX: Business Intelligence for Microsoft Power BI
Writing data analysis expressions will enable you to get more from Power BI and interact with data in more ways.
This means that you will be able to import data from other sources into Power BI and handle it in tabular models.
This book is the expanded version that shares the best practices in a sort of a guide. This guide will teach you how to take advantage of DAX, learn to write DAX, and combine it with Power BI to model your data, do better analytic reports, and even master table functions.
What I like the most about this book is that it focuses on examples you can use right within your Power BI software.
13. Introducing Microsoft Power BI
If you’re thinking of switching to Power BI and learning the software ins and outs to be as efficient with it as you are with Excel and yet harvest extra benefits, this might be the book for you.
This book is all about introducing Microsoft Power BI and other than only teaching you the basics, you’ll learn straight from the examples that will teach you everything you can do within Power BI.
I find this book to be really interesting for everyone who’s looking to focus on taking full advantage of analytical but also collaborative features.
Whether you’re working alone or in a team, Power BI can be a really powerful tool and this will teach you the basics through examples of what is possible.
Keep in mind that this book only comes in the Kindle format as of now.
14. Applied Microsoft Power BI: Bring Your Data to Life!
If you’re worried that books can’t provide up-to-date information and yet you’re interested in learning Power BI, this is the book for you.
Applied Microsoft Power BI: Bring Your Data to Life is a book that’s updated annually, and it features guides that will fit everyone’s purpose.
Whether you’re a data analyst, developer, or information worker, you’ll learn how to integrate and transform data, promote collaboration, integrate custom applications with Power BI, and more.
It’s a very versatile guide that is a great fit for both experienced Power BI users and beginners. Inside the book, you’ll find easy-to-follow guides and concepts with instructions that will make learning effortless.
15. Pro Power BI Desktop
If you’re ready to take your Power BI skills to another level and become a pro, this is the book you’re looking for.
In this book, you’ll learn how to deliver attractive yet reliable business intelligence and data reports with the help of visualization.
Pro Power BI Desktop book is updated annually and it’s keeping up well with the new updates so you’ll be able to learn how to find new insights, tweak your data, build interactive reports, combine data from multiple reports, build charts and maps, and even create dashboards.
But what I like the most about this book is that it focuses on adapting your reports to mobile devices so everyone can check out your reports on almost any device (even on the go).
Taking the leap from an intermediate to a professional user is guaranteed if you follow the training available in this book.
Conclusion
Excel has been a favorite tool to keep and analyze data but Power BI is a far superior solution.
Yes, it comes with a learning curve, but once you get a hang of Power BI, you’ll never look back.
These are 15 of the best books on Power BI you can get today and take action to start producing incredible reports and performing data analysis.
No matter which one you go for, you won’t regret it. However, I recommend determining your level of knowledge and then finding the book that fits your goals the best.
Tom loves to write on technology, e-commerce & internet marketing. I started my first e-commerce company in college, designing and selling t-shirts for my campus bar crawl using print-on-demand. Having successfully established multiple 6 & 7-figure e-commerce businesses (in women’s fashion and hiking gear), I think I can share a tip or 2 to help you succeed.