Power BI and Power Pivot Samples

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CMBI provide Power BI and Power Pivot training and consultancy. To support the Power BI communinity we also create a large number of samples using a variety of real world data sets from various open data sources including government publications. This page includes links to our samples which you can download and use to understand the capabilities of these exciting technologies.

Samples Overview

Go straight to the samples here or read on to learn more about Power BI and Power Pivot.


Power BI technologies

Power BI is an umbrella term for Microsoft's stable of self service reporting and data analysis tools and technologies. Power Query for retrieving data; Power Pivot for data modelling and calculations; and Power BI visualisations using Power BI Desktop, Excel Charts, or Power View for Excel.

With so many components, it is easy to get lost in a maze of technology terminology. CMBI have developed samples that demonstrate features of each of these components.


What is Power Query?

Power Query automates data extraction, integration, and manipulation from various data sources so it is ready for use in reporting and analysis. Power Query has been an Excel Add- In since Excel 2010, but is now a core feature in Microsoft 365, Power BI Desktop and Analysis Services Tabular.

Why Power Query?

Traditionally, Excel users have applied a combination of manual techniques, VLOOKUPs, VBA (Macros), and Excel formulas to complete data manipulation tasks. But as spreadsheets have become more complex and data volumes greater, Excel users frequently struggle with slow and complex workbooks that are difficult to understand, use, and maintain. Power Query significantly increases the ease and productivity of data manipulation tasks in Excel.


What is Power Pivot?

Power Pivot is a modelling and reporting tool for users who want to build maintainable and automated solutions for more complex financial modelling, reporting, and data analysis requirements. Power Pivot was introduced as an Excel Add-In for Excel 2010, but has been a core product feature since Excel 2013 and it also part of Power BI Desktop and Analysis Services Tabular.

Why Power Pivot?

Excel users often work with large, complex and diverse data sets to build financial models, create management and financial reports, support budgeting and forecasting processes, and provide data analysis for decisions makers.

Excel users working with the traditional Excel toolset of VLOOKUPs, VBA (Macros), linked worksheets, Pivot Tables and Excel formulas, are finding it increasingly difficult to build efficient, maintainable solutions in the face of a rapid increase in data volumes, source systems, and management expectations.

We can used Power Pivot to automate the processing of massive data volumes, complex calculations, and exacting corporate layout and presentation requirements, within Excel, Power BI Desktop, or Visual Studio.


Power BI samples

Our samples are available to download and explore. Some also include detailed instructions (i) and support videos (v).

Beginner (B) and more advanced (A)

Excel Power Query Samples

Excel Power Pivot Samples

Power BI Desktop Samples

Online Interactive Power BI dashboards

Interact with these Power BI dashboard samples through your web browser

Experiment with the dropdown filters, interact with the charts and familiarise yourself with Power BI Desktop visualisations


Interested in Training?

CMBI offer a range of training courses. See full details on our Training page.


Contact Us

For more information or to book a training course, contact Julie McGowan via our contact page.