Power BI Basics: Essential Interview Questions Quiz Quiz

Test your understanding of Power BI fundamentals with this interactive quiz based on common interview questions. Learn about Power BI features, data import methods, connection types, and visualization options to boost your business intelligence knowledge.

  1. Power BI Definition

    What is Power BI primarily used for in a business environment?

    1. Creating interactive reports and dashboards from various data sources
    2. Developing mobile applications for smartphones
    3. Designing web pages for e-commerce stores
    4. Managing employee payroll and attendance

    Explanation: Power BI is designed to help users connect to a variety of data sources, analyze data, and create interactive visualizations and dashboards. It is not intended for mobile app development, payroll management, or web design, which are unrelated to its core functionality.

  2. Key Feature Recognition

    Which feature of Power BI helps protect sensitive information in reports and dashboards?

    1. Data security and governance
    2. Data masking only
    3. Color themes
    4. Template importing

    Explanation: Data security and governance ensure that sensitive information remains protected using features like encryption and row-level security. Data masking is only a part of security; color themes and template importing focus on appearance and design rather than security.

  3. Import Methods

    If you have a spreadsheet with Power Query and Power Pivot models in Excel, which method should you use to bring it into Power BI Desktop?

    1. Home u003E Publish to web
    2. File u003E Import u003E Power Query, Power Pivot, Power View
    3. Get data u003E Web
    4. Insert u003E 3D Models

    Explanation: To import advanced Excel workbooks into Power BI Desktop, you use the File u003E Import option. The other options either relate to different data sources or features not focused on importing Excel models.

  4. Connecting to Online Services

    Which step should you take to connect Power BI to an online service like Google Analytics?

    1. Select Insert u003E Online Apps in Excel
    2. Choose Export u003E Web Service
    3. Open Home u003E Authentication
    4. Select Get data u003E Services from Power BI service

    Explanation: To connect to services like Google Analytics, use Get data u003E Services in Power BI. The other options either describe Excel features, exporting actions, or non-existent menu paths.

  5. Direct Data Entry

    How can you manually enter a small data table directly into Power BI Desktop?

    1. Import data through SQL
    2. Export file to CSV
    3. Use Enter data from the Home ribbon
    4. Validate connections in the Admin tab

    Explanation: The Enter data button in the Home ribbon allows for direct manual input of tables in Power BI Desktop. Importing via SQL cannot be done manually, exporting is unrelated, and there is no Admin tab for data entry.

  6. Data Connection Types

    Which Power BI data connection type provides near real-time data analysis but relies on the data source's performance?

    1. Offline mode
    2. Live connection
    3. Import
    4. DirectQuery

    Explanation: DirectQuery queries the data source in real time, reflecting its current state but depending on its speed. Import loads data into Power BI and doesn’t update instantly, Live connection is for reusing models, and Offline mode is not a standard Power BI connection.

  7. Power BI Visualization Process

    What is the first step after opening a dataset when you want to create a visualization in Power BI?

    1. Select fields from the Fields pane
    2. Export the dataset to PDF
    3. Lock the dataset for editing
    4. Upload the visualization to the cloud

    Explanation: Selecting fields initiates the visualization process in Power BI. Uploading or exporting occurs after visualization, while locking the dataset is not a step in making visuals.

  8. Report Customization

    How can you change the appearance of a visualization in Power BI?

    1. Merge duplicate fields
    2. Disable data compression
    3. Reinstall Power BI Desktop
    4. Use the options in the Format tab

    Explanation: The Format tab allows customization of visual appearance. Merging fields changes data structure, reinstalling software is unrelated, and disabling data compression doesn't affect visualization appearance.

  9. Visual Types Knowledge

    Which of the following is NOT a standard visualization offered by Power BI?

    1. Pie chart
    2. Flowchart with interactive nodes
    3. Bar chart
    4. Map

    Explanation: Power BI provides bar charts, pie charts, and maps, but it does not have a built-in flowchart with interactive nodes as a standard visual. Flowcharts may require custom visuals or external tools.

  10. Data Compression Concept

    What is the role of data compression in Power BI?

    1. Increases report loading time
    2. Prevents data connection to external sources
    3. Limits the number of visualizations allowed
    4. Improves performance by reducing dataset size

    Explanation: Data compression in Power BI helps with managing large datasets efficiently by reducing their size, which improves load times. It does not increase loading time, limit visualizations, or block external connections.

  11. Import vs. DirectQuery

    Which is a disadvantage of using the Import data connection type in Power BI?

    1. It may not reflect the latest changes in the data source
    2. It causes automatic data deletion
    3. It supports only web data sources
    4. It prevents any data visualization

    Explanation: Imported data needs manual or scheduled refreshes, so recent changes in the source may not appear immediately. The Import type supports many data types, allows visualization, and does not delete data by default.

  12. Live Connection Clarity

    What is a limitation of using a Live connection in Power BI?

    1. It restricts the ability to modify or extend the data model
    2. It consumes the most memory
    3. It allows for custom visuals
    4. It offers the most flexible data transformations

    Explanation: Live connections rely on existing datasets and limit model changes. They can allow custom visuals but don’t offer flexible transformations or use the most memory compared to Import.

  13. Security Features

    Which Power BI feature enables row-level security in dashboards?

    1. Auto-refresh scheduling
    2. Visualization pane
    3. Data security settings
    4. Live chat support

    Explanation: Row-level security is managed within Power BI's data security settings. Auto-refresh controls update timing, the visualization pane relates to chart options, and chat support is not for security.

  14. Dashboards vs. Reports

    In Power BI, what is the difference between a dashboard and a report?

    1. A dashboard is a single page summary, while a report can have multiple pages
    2. A report is limited to one visualization only
    3. A dashboard contains only text data
    4. A report cannot be shared

    Explanation: Dashboards provide a one-page overview, while reports support multiple pages and visualizations. Reports aren't limited to one visual, can have more than text data, and can also be shared.

  15. Custom Visuals

    How can Power BI users add unique or specialized visualizations besides standard charts?

    1. Edit the dataset in Power Query only
    2. Upgrade to administrator mode only
    3. Turn off all built-in visuals
    4. Create custom visuals using the Power BI visuals SDK

    Explanation: Users can use the Power BI visuals SDK for custom visuals. Power Query edits data, not visuals. Disabling all visuals or specific mode upgrades do not allow additional chart types.

  16. Integration Knowledge

    Which statement best describes Power BI's integration capabilities?

    1. Power BI does not support integration with any other tools
    2. Power BI can integrate seamlessly with spreadsheets, email clients, and collaboration platforms
    3. Integration is limited to local text files
    4. Power BI only works with PDF files

    Explanation: Power BI is known for its versatile integration, including with spreadsheets and collaboration tools. It works with much more than PDFs or local files, and certainly supports broad integration.