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Microsoft PL-300 Study Guide

Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst PL-300

Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300) is the associate exam for people who turn data into reports that others can use. It covers preparing data with Power Query, modeling it with DAX, building and sharing reports with visuals and Copilot, and managing and securing content in the Power BI service. It suits analysts who are comfortable with Power Query and DAX.

  • Exam code PL-300
  • Associate level
  • 4 exam domains

This guide is free, with no sign-up. It explains every Microsoft PL-300 exam topic in plain English, one chapter at a time. Read them in order or jump straight to the topic you need.

  • 4chapters
  • 23topics
  • 7diagrams and exhibits
  • 1 h 50 minfast track
Start with Prepare the data
  • Every topic follows the same simple pattern: what it is, how it works, common mistakes
  • Diagrams and real command output where a picture explains it best
  • Exam tips and worked subnetting and IPv6 practice, with answers

How the exam is weighted

Each domain is worth roughly this share of the exam. The exam provider publishes a range for each domain, so the bar marks the middle of it. Spend your study time in proportion, and select a domain to open its chapter.

Chapters

Open a chapter to see its topics and how long each takes.

1Prepare the data8 topics · 37 min fast trackConnecting to sources, storage modes, profiling, cleaning, shaping, merging and loading data with Power Query.
  1. 1Connecting to Data and Data Source Settings5 min
  2. 2Storage Modes and Parameters5 min
  3. 3Profiling Data and Column Statistics4 min
  4. 4Cleaning Data and Resolving Errors5 min
  5. 5Data Types and Column Transformations4 min
  6. 6Grouping, Pivoting and Semi Structured Data4 min
  7. 7Reference, Duplicate, Merge and Append Queries5 min
  8. 8Fact and Dimension Tables, Keys and Load Settings5 min
Read the chapter overview →
2Model the data6 topics · 26 min fast trackRelationships, date tables, DAX measures, time intelligence, calculation groups and model performance.
  1. 1Table and Column Properties and Relationships5 min
  2. 2Date Tables, Calculated Columns and Calculated Tables4 min
  3. 3Measures, Quick Measures and CALCULATE4 min
  4. 4Time Intelligence and Semi Additive Measures4 min
  5. 5Statistical Functions and Calculation Groups4 min
  6. 6Optimizing Model Performance5 min
Read the chapter overview →
3Visualize and analyze the data6 topics · 30 min fast trackChoosing visuals, Copilot, filtering, storytelling, navigation, accessibility and AI insights.
  1. 1Choosing and Formatting Visuals4 min
  2. 2Slicers, Filters and Visual Calculations5 min
  3. 3Copilot and Paginated Reports6 min
  4. 4Bookmarks, Tooltips, Interactions and Navigation5 min
  5. 5Drillthrough, Export, Mobile, Accessibility and Refresh5 min
  6. 6Patterns, Trends and AI Insights5 min
Read the chapter overview →
4Manage and secure Power BI3 topics · 17 min fast trackWorkspaces, apps, dashboards, subscriptions, alerts, gateways, refresh, roles and row level security.
  1. 1Workspaces, Apps and Dashboards5 min
  2. 2Subscriptions, Alerts, Endorsement, Gateways and Refresh6 min
  3. 3Roles, Access, Row Level Security and Labels6 min
Read the chapter overview →

Ready for more practice?

The full Microsoft PL-300 question bank has 657 questions, with timed practice exams and an explanation for every answer.

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