Add a prefix to a field in Microsoft Power BI via Power Query

Adding a prefix to a field in the Microsoft Power BI Power Query is a simple process that can be accomplished quickly.

  1. Highlight the column in Power Query.
  2. Choose Transform from the menu bar.
  3. Select Format from the ribbon.
  4. Choose “Add Prefix” from the pop-up menu.
  5. Enter what you want the prefix to be.
  6. Be astonished and how easy it is.

Watch this < 3-minute video to see it in action!

Microsoft Power BI Story Telling with PowerPoint

Power BI, Microsoft’s business analytics and data visualization tool, has been a game changer for businesses looking to make data-driven decisions. And with the release of Power BI in March 2023, Microsoft is making it even easier to tell compelling stories with data. The new release will make story telling in Power Point generally available, allowing users to seamlessly integrate their Power BI visualizations into Power Point presentations.

One of the biggest challenges when working with data is communicating insights effectively. This is where data visualization comes in, as it allows us to present complex data in an easy-to-understand format. With Power BI, users can create interactive and dynamic dashboards and reports, but until now, it hasn’t been easy to integrate these visualizations into presentations or reports.

The new release of Power BI changes all of that. With the ability to export Power BI visualizations to Power Point, users can now create stunning presentations that combine the best of both worlds – the interactivity of Power BI and the storytelling capabilities of Power Point.

To export a Power BI visualization to Power Point, simply select the visualization you want to export and choose the “Export to Power Point” option. This will create a new Power Point slide with the selected visualization embedded in it. From there, users can customize the slide with additional text, images, or other visualizations as needed.

One of the key benefits of this new feature is that it enables users to tell a more complete story with their data. Rather than presenting static graphs or tables, users can create interactive and engaging presentations that allow their audience to explore the data in real time. This not only makes the presentation more engaging, but it also helps to drive better decision making by enabling the audience to see the data in context and make connections that might not be immediately obvious.

Another benefit of the new Power BI release is that it streamlines the process of creating presentations. Rather than having to manually copy and paste visualizations into Power Point, users can now export them directly from Power BI, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.

Overall, the new release of Power BI is a game changer for anyone looking to tell a more compelling story with their data. With the ability to seamlessly integrate Power BI visualizations into Power Point presentations, users can now create dynamic and engaging presentations that drive better decision making and help their audience to understand the insights more clearly.

Parameters for Excel File Path in Microsoft Power BI

When I am working on, building and/or designing my Microsoft Power BI reports, I go back and forth between my desktop PC and my notebook.  If my data source is a local file, like an Excel file, it can be tricky.  Tricky, that is, if you do not use parameters for the file path.  I use this feature now, EVERY time I work with local data.  Saves me oodles of time and frustration! Check it out!

Microsoft Dynamics Business Central as a Data Type in Excel via Power BI

While hosting yesterday’s Power Platform Mix it up with New View Strategies, Microsoft Senior Program Manager Blazej Kotelko talked about using Microsoft Dynamics Business Central Data, specifically a dataset in Microsoft Power BI as a source for Data Types in Excel.  Several of us hung out yesterday and tried to do it.  We thought we missed something because it wasn’t working.  Today though, I noticed it appeared and it works!  My mind is blown!!!!  Watch the end results.

The “How this is done” video will come soon.  Thanks to the friends that hung out with me and worked on this:

Shawn Sissenwein

Krzysztof Bialowas

Jeremy Vyska

Gert Hector

Power Platform Mix It Up is a community meetup focused on all things Microsoft Power Platform using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Can you auto-refresh data in Microsoft Power BI using Microsoft OneDrive? (With Video)

This is one of those weird answers of “Yes, but No” or “Yes, sort of” or “No, but Yes.”

So none of the answers above really answer the question. No one can answer it, it’s a trick question (those of you who love the movie “My Cousin Vinny” will be laughing now. Let’s see why it is a trick question.

Belinda Allen, Microsoft Dynamics GP MVP shares tips and information on Microsoft Power BI.

My Cousin Vinny (1992)

We’ll start with OneDrive for Business. Since OneDrive for Business AND Power BI are both cloud applications and they would use the same login information, Microsoft Power BI will automatically refresh data created in the Service (Microsoft Power BI Web Application) automatically. So if you:

  1. Log into your Microsoft Power BI Service (www.PowerBI.com)
  2. Add a Dataset using “Import or Connect to Data | Files”
    1. Get
    2. OneDrive – Business
    3. Select File and Connect
    4. Import (Connecting brings in the whole Excel Workbook, usually you just want the data so you can create visualizations.)
  3. Create your visualizations using “My Workspace”
  4. Pin new Visualizations to your dashboard.
  5. Refreshing will automatically occur every hour.

That was the Yes part. The no part? Someone has to refresh the file on OneDrive for Business. This is a great way to share data with many people in your company. Only one person has to refresh the file (of course that folder needs to be shared with the other Power BI users as well, in OneDrive for Business.

 So I admit the answer is probably really only no, it doesn’t auto-refresh but come on. One person keeps that file current and everyone who accesses it has up to date data without having to click refresh? That’s pretty cool. This is a super, low budget method or sharing data and using Power BI efficiently.

For OneDrive for Personal? The same pretty much applies EXCEPT your login information is not likely to be the same as your OneDrive for Business. This means when you log in to your OneDrive for Personal, you need to make sure you mark the option to stay signed in.

I like this approach. For most ERP users, a data refresh of weekly is sufficient. Using this easy to setup methodology, you can control data being released as well.

Happy Dashboarding!