Explore Power BI through classes focused on creating visual reports and dashboards. You’ll transform data into clear, impactful visual stories for decision-making.
Learn how to use Power BI, a powerful data visualization tool, to create interactive and aesthetically pleasing charts, graphs, and maps. Learn how to connect to datasets, analyze and structure data, customize visualizations, and publish reports.
Learn Power BI for data analysis & visualization and become a certified Power BI Data Analyst Associate in this hands-on certification course.
Learn the essential skills needed to become a Data Analyst or Business Analyst, including data analysis, data visualization, and statistical analysis. Gain practical experience through real-world projects and prepare for a successful career in the field of data analytics.
Microsoft’s Power BI is one of the tools that any professional can use to create easy-to-understand data-visualization infographics, easily shared among departments. For deeper-level use, Data Scientists and Data Analysts take advantage of the advanced features, which can require some training and practice. Power BI is a tool that brings data to all users when they need a quick update, instead of waiting for the critical information that data scientists can provide. Trained users have the information they need for data preparation, data discovery, and customizable dashboards that fit their business’s needs, transforming how information was previously gleaned. The platform integrates with Excel and Office 365 and has a very active user community that extends the tool’s capabilities, making it a plus for everyone in an organization.
Power BI is a scalable business intelligence software application that is cloud-based and available as part of Microsoft’s suite of business tools. Power BI is just one part of the Microsoft Office 365 suite, which includes tools such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, used by many professionals every day. As Microsoft’s business solutions offerings increase, Power BI is often underutilized, but with training, it becomes a tremendous help for busy professionals. The higher functions that Power BI can perform make it a standby for those who spend a great deal of time analyzing data, making predictions, and producing reports. However, the more a workforce has access to this tool, the better it is for communication and performance.
Some of the functions of Power BI include options for aggregating, analyzing, visualizing, and sharing data. Anyone with experience with programs such as Excel or any other basic spreadsheet work finds that it makes their work much easier and more efficient, especially when using it as a shared workspace. Since Power BI integrates well with all Microsoft applications, workforces appreciate how easy it is to use, including the ease of importing tables.
There are two versions of Power BI that companies can choose from. The basic free version is for small or midsize companies that don’t need to wrangle as much data or don’t demand real-time information a few times per day. Businesses that have data-savvy accounting, sales, and marketing departments often find the basic version effective enough as an additional way to work with data. The Power BI Plus version for bigger companies is subscription-based and wrangles large amounts of data. For companies of all sizes, areas such as FinTech, business intelligence, data science and analysis, and cybersecurity departments find the small investment in the Power BI Plus version an essential addition. One thing that makes Power BI more attractive to data-sensitive departments is its ability to secure a report server, allowing data and reports to be maintained on-site.
For high-ranking careers in data science and business analysis, expertise in Power BI is standard knowledge. There is an opportunity for tech talent to make a career as a Power BI developer for those who already have experience with data analytics or a similar business segment. Power BI developers must have solid skills in data integration, data warehousing, modeling, and presentation concepts, and are considered part of the data science team. Sensitive and private data is shared within companies, and Power BI users and developers must have high ethics. Since any data-heavy role has to be able to demonstrate what the information they’ve gathered means to supervisors and stakeholders, top communication abilities and business acumen are required skills.
The advantages of Power BI extend beyond basic Microsoft 365 applications, too. It’s a valuable tool that supports more than seventy related programs, such as widely-used Azure, Dropbox, Google Analytics, OneDrive, and Salesforce, and supports on-premise applications such as SQL databases. With these built-in connectors, dashboards that everyone can use can be created in minutes and can be scaled and customized at will. Power BI’s drag-and-drop interface also means not having to code, copy, or paste anything, another advantage for users.
Virginia’s economy spans federal agencies, finance, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing, which are sectors where data-driven decision-making is central to daily operations. Power BI’s ability to connect disparate datasets, generate real-time dashboards, and create fully customizable reports makes it a valuable tool across the Commonwealth. The following industries represent some of the most prominent users of Power BI in Virginia.
Virginia has one of the densest concentrations of federal agencies and contractors in the nation, particularly in Northern Virginia. Organizations such as the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and NASA Langley Research Center rely on Power BI for mission analytics, workforce reporting, budget oversight, and cybersecurity visibility. Defense contractors, including Booz Allen Hamilton (McLean), Northrop Grumman (Falls Church), Leidos (Reston), and General Dynamics (Reston), use Power BI to support project performance tracking, supply-chain risk modeling, forecasting, and compliance reporting.
Virginia’s financial sector is anchored by major institutions that depend on analytics for lending, fraud detection, customer insights, and regulatory compliance. Capital One (headquartered in McLean), Navy Federal Credit Union (Vienna), Freddie Mac (Tysons), and Fannie Mae (Reston) leverage Power BI to integrate data across SQL, cloud platforms, and internal systems. Power BI dashboards help analysts track portfolio performance, manage risk, automate monthly reporting, and evaluate market trends. Virginia’s growing FinTech presence, particularly in Arlington, Tysons, and Richmond, also uses Power BI to monitor user behavior and marketing performance.
Northern Virginia is home to the largest data-center market in the world, along with leading technology and cybersecurity companies. AWS (Herndon), Microsoft (Reston), Appian (Tysons), and MITRE (McLean) rely on Power BI for cloud workload monitoring, security-event analysis, software usage reporting, and DevOps performance metrics. Cybersecurity firms across the region integrate Power BI into their security operations workflows to track threat patterns and compliance data. The tool’s strong integration with Azure makes it especially popular among technical teams managing real-time streaming analytics.
Professionals will want to have methods they can use for understanding and presenting data. The use of Power BI as a career tool is essential for professionals who have to have real-time availability of data for understanding and predicting directions their company is heading. Data accumulates at a stunning rate in an information-hungry business climate, and if data is mishandled, it can mean major disadvantages for companies. Data gathering is useless unless a program is in place that can automatically translate each bit in real-time.
Data Scientists are still among the highest in the chain of command in an organization, but everyone benefits when most department heads can glean data by using Power BI. Technology continues to evolve at a blistering pace, and the urgency for experts in data management is skyrocketing, with more demand than supply. The ability to pull information that can be easily read and completely up-to-date for any group in an organization is now necessary.
Roles for Data Analysts are also on the rise, particularly in Virginia, where the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 36% increase in data-related roles over the next decade. This is far faster than the average rate for most positions. A Data Analyst will use Power BI to handle data, build interactive dashboards and reports, and share visualizations. It’s an easy way to communicate complex information, so it’s easily understandable.
Power BI Administrators and Managers can execute highly advanced custom dashboards for those managing the most data, providing even deeper insight into how departments perform. The Power BI Admin has access to the admin portal, allowing for the ability to modify tenant settings, view usage reports, and set organization visuals. The ability to make solid predictions when charting a new direction or monitoring an existing situation is valuable for any business. In a data-hungry business world, the ability to gather real-time data and produce understandable infographics with Power BI is advantageous.
Organizations commonly use Power BI when looking for insights within their data to connect disparate datasets. It’s also a way to transform and clean data that can be made into sharp infographics, including charts and graphs that can be easily understood. Power BI’s data models are flexible enough to be used in numerous ways, such as telling stories through charts and data visualizations, as well as examining “what if” scenarios. Department heads need a way to share information with stakeholders at the moment they need it, and they can do that with Power BI.
Those with experience with Power BI find it is an attractive addition to any resume. Training and practice with the platform are not difficult, but it can be time-consuming to have to pull an employee away from regular job duties to upskill. When a prospective employer sees that a candidate is already fluent in the tool, that candidate stands out in the crowd. These decision-makers know that they’ll be able to not only get the data they need but have someone on their team who can create regular reports and forecasts for them that track how their team or individual employees are progressing without having to do deeper levels of Power BI training themselves. Power BI is the Microsoft tool they use to make this task easy and efficient. There is even an admin portal for use by administrators to be able to monitor usage and licenses.
Virginia is steeped in established businesses that offer tremendous job security. It’s also a state with a wide range of choices when it comes to where a professional chooses to live. Virginia has beaches on its eastern borders, rich farmland inland, and large cities with all the metropolitan amenities someone could want. Nature lovers will feel at home since the majority of the state offers deeply wooded forests, rolling mountains, and dunes with seagrass waving in the wind along the shoreline. Well known as a foodie state, some of the nation’s top restaurants are nestled in romantic and historic hideaways such as the Inn at Little Washington.
Home prices are typical for East Coast living, and schools consistently rank above the national average. Salaries for professionals range depending upon industry, role, education, and experience. Average yearly salaries across the state include Digital Analysts at around $68,000 and Project Managers at about $79,000.
Virginia is a large state, and not everyone is located near a major metropolitan area where they can access classes easily. Additionally, those who are interested in adding Power BI to their arsenal of professional tools tend to be extremely busy. Live online courses in Power BI are a great way for those professionals to find space in their schedules to take classes from anywhere. Finding a distraction-free location of their choice allows students to concentrate on the material offered and take advantage of direct assistance from their instructor. Because the classes are live and have small sizes, students can get the assistance they need while they learn. Students are even free to share their computer screens with their instructors for more individualized help.
Noble Desktop offers an excellent course for instruction in the Power BI Bootcamp. Bootcamps are comprehensive, information-rich sessions that allow students to learn best practices when using Power BI for creating data visualizations for business reports. In these bootcamps, students discover how the tool was created by combining the best aspects of Excel, Access, SQL, and additional business technologies. Power BI streamlines the process from data to insights, providing users with a skill that solves any business task more efficiently. Students also learn how to connect multiple data sources into one relational model, use Power Query, and make time intelligence reports. Additionally, students use Power BI’s DAX language to power visualizations and get tips on which experts to follow as they refine their skills when they return to the workplace.
Power BI isn’t just for those who work with data every day, and it is not limited to Microsoft’s Office 365. It’s possible to give all employees skills with this user-friendly business intelligence tool by providing onsite corporate Power BI training. Investing in training is a tremendous advantage when keeping a workforce up-to-date with instruction in the tools they have at their fingertips, but might not know how to implement. An expert instructor from Noble Desktop will tailor a course for your employees and provide training at your location or via a video conferencing platform. If it is more convenient to allow employees to attend public open-enrollment classes, individual vouchers can be purchased at a discount. Contact Noble Desktop for more information.
Virginia’s professional community is, without a doubt, an impressive one. The state is home to some of the largest companies in the world, and with its proximity to the nation’s capital, its connections to the government and public service sectors are undeniable. Needless to say, those looking to gain new skills in tech, data, business, or design are well-positioned to do so.
Virginia students can take classes at the modern facilities located at 600 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C., 20024. This is right off L’Enfant Plaza. It’s a professional yet welcoming environment that allows students to jump right into their studies. If you’re coming from Virginia, you’ll have no trouble getting here. While the trip will depend on where you’re coming from within the state, those in the Northern Virginia (NOVA) region can hop on the Virginia Railway Express to Union Station and take the Metro for a short ride to L’Enfant Plaza. Driving is still an option, with various parking garages available to make the trip easier. Otherwise, there are bus routes connecting from NOVA to D.C. With so many options, attending classes and workshops in D.C. is convenient and simple.
Power BI enables professionals to analyze data and build interactive dashboards used throughout Virginia’s workplaces. With this, Noble Desktop instructors show students practical modeling and visualization techniques that support everyday decision-making. The school's instructors offer decades of experience and insight into the field that enables you to make a real difference in the Old Dominion.
A seasoned educator and training leader, Brian brings ample experience to the classroom, particularly in designing and delivering learning programs in project management and emerging technologies, like AI. He has created adaptive learning models that blend instructor-led lessons, live experiences, and self-paced study, making professional development flexible and accessible to everyone. Brian has also focused heavily on integrating AI into training, which helps organizations and professionals by applying AI to real-world situations that can fix challenges, assist leadership, execute projects seamlessly, and make more informed decisions. Beyond teaching, he has led curriculum development, managed large-scale training initiatives, and implemented collaboration tools that have led to higher retention rates and increased engagement from students.
Clarissa has over 25 years of experience as a corporate trainer, Project Manager, and Business Consultant. She has designed and delivered highly effective training sessions for federal agencies, private corporations, and international organizations, making her a well-versed and experienced trainer and educator. She is currently the President and CEO of Projections Training Solutions, which has trained over 10,000 professionals worldwide, including clients like the Department of Defense, NASA, Microsoft, and FEMA. Not to mention, her work has taken her to places like China, Japan, South Korea, Africa, Singapore, and the Caribbean. Her programs span subjects like leadership, project management, business analysis, and emerging technologies. At Graduate School USA, Clarissa is a trusted and well-respected instructor who teaches and helps develop several programs.
As a retired combat veteran who served as both an Air Force enlisted member and a Navy officer, Alan brings more than 30 years of experience across federal and commercial sectors. His background consists of work in budgeting, auditing, programming, operations, global logistics, supply chain management, and IT acquisitions. He has worked extensively with federal, state, and local governments, such as the Executive Office of the President and various departments (such as the State, Defense, Health and Human Services, and Education Departments, to name a few). Alan’s consulting work includes strategic planning and business development with the D.C. government, federal agencies, Lockheed Martin, and more. Overall, he’s a well-equipped educator due to his experience and expertise, but he also holds a teaching certification from Harvard’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning. His expansive background makes him a perfect fit to teach subjects like finance, accounting, and project management.
With more than fifty-five years of experience in federal and non-profit financial management, Johnny is a retired senior Federal Manager and Vietnam combat veteran. His degrees are from Herbert H. Lehman College and St. John's University. He has been working as an adjunct faculty member at the Graduate School USA since 2011, teaching Appropriations Law, as well as a range of federal budget-related courses, including finance and accounting. His career also includes leadership roles, such as the Chief of Budget Execution for the IRS Office of Chief Counsel and the Budget Officer for the Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General. His impressive career experience and education allow him to share his wisdom with others, fostering a supportive and structured learning experience.
Charles Byrd is an experienced Employee and Labor Relations Consultant with a strong background in federal human resources management and legal counseling. He obtained his B.A. in Business Administration and Political Science from Loyola University and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law before diving further into his career. Over the years, he has advised agencies on complex HR and labor matters, managed HR programs, and represented organizations in legal proceedings. In addition to this, Charles has developed and delivered specialized training in subjects like project management and human resources. He has been recognized for his professional excellence as well as his teaching abilities and leadership skills, acquiring awards and accolades throughout his decades-long career.
Natalya has been a part-time instructor at Graduate School USA for over 15 years, where she teaches project management, leadership, and human resources courses. She has developed original curricula, including Change Management Workshops and specialized project management programs. In addition, Natalya has served as an action learning coach and facilitator in government leadership initiatives. She runs her own consulting business, offering coaching and training for public and private entities. Moreover, she created the Define and Achieve Your Goals Process and is a certified Birkman Method Consultant. Her M.S. degree in Project Management from George Washington University’s School of Business provides her with the credibility and skills that have allowed her to excel in this field for so long. Between her experience and knowledge in the field, she’s well-equipped to provide insight into the project management field.