Best Power BI Course With Certificate: Top Options for Beginners

What if one free course could help you step into data roles that companies hire for every day? Power BI has turned into a must-learn tool for anyone who wants to work with reports, dashboards, and business insights. Employers value candidates who can convert raw spreadsheets into clear visuals that support decisions. Beginners who learn Power BI early gain an advantage in analyst roles, reporting support, and entry-level data positions. Free courses with certificates make that path easier because they remove cost barriers and still offer proof of learning. 

Keep reading to explore the best Power BI courses with certificate options for beginners!

Why Learning Power BI Matters in Today’s Data Roles?

Power BI has become a preferred tool for data reporting in small businesses and large enterprises. Companies value candidates who can convert raw data into dashboards that support decisions. Learners who master Power BI gain an edge in entry-level analytics, reporting roles, and business support positions.

How Power BI Helps You Stand Out?

Recruiters look for familiarity with reports, visuals, and data modelling, skills that connect directly to data science fundamentals. Power BI supports Excel users who want to move into analytics or start transitioning toward data science roles. Many job listings now highlight Power BI skills for positions such as Business Analyst, MIS Executive, and entry-level support roles.

Top Power BI Courses with Certification ( Free + Paid )

1. HCL GUVI Power BI Course

Duration: Self-paced
Course Fee: Paid program with certificate included

What You Will Learn:

• Data loading: Importing datasets from Excel, CSV, SQL, and APIs
• Data modelling: Creating relationships and basic star schema structure
• Visual creation: Building charts, KPI cards, maps, and drill-through reports
• Beginner DAX: Simple calculated columns and measures for metrics
• Data cleaning workflow: Power Query steps to shape and format raw files
• Report publishing: Exporting dashboards to Power BI Service and HCL GUVI Cloud

What You’ll Build for Your Portfolio:

• Sales dashboard sample: Interactive page with slicers and visuals
• Cleaned dataset file: Power Query steps applied on raw data
• DAX measure sheet: PBIX file showing calculated metrics
• Course certificate badge: Shareable on LinkedIn and resume

Best For:

• Students preparing for analytics careers
• Developers moving into reporting tasks
• Small business owners tracking performance data

Course Link: HCL GUVI Power BI Course

2. Microsoft Learn: Power BI Learning Path

Duration: Self-paced modules
Course Fee: Free with a Microsoft account

What You Will Learn:

• Power Query shaping: Split, merge, remove errors, and format columns
• Model design rules: Star schema layout and relationship directions
• Core DAX logic: CALCULATE, SUM, RELATED, DIVIDE, and date functions
• Report layout setup: Themes, alignments, page formatting, and grouping
• Cloud sharing: Workspaces, app creation, and access permissions
• PL-300 alignment: Content mapped to Microsoft’s official skill sheet

What You’ll Build for Your Portfolio:

• Mini dashboards: Created using Microsoft sample datasets
• Lab screenshots: Uploaded to LinkedIn or GitHub
• Module badges: Displayed on Microsoft Learn profile

Best For:

• PL-300 certification learners
• Users who want official Microsoft content
• Professionals revising Power BI fundamentals

Course Link: Microsoft Learn: Power BI Learning Path

3. Alison: Master Microsoft Power BI

Duration: Self-paced
Course Fee: Free learning, optional paid certificate

What You Will Learn:

• Interface navigation: Report, data, and model view handling
• Power Query basics: Split columns, remove blanks, filter rows
• Intro DAX: Simple aggregations and calculated columns
• Chart selection: Table, slicer, bar, map, and KPI visuals
• Export options: PDF, image, and offline sharing formats
• Self-check quizzes: Topic-based validation before progress

What You’ll Build for Your Portfolio:

• Single-page business dashboard: Designed using sample data
• Alison badge: Public profile badge for course completion
• Assessment record: Proof of topic-level progress

Best For:

• Learners who want free structured training
• Students are doing interview preparation
• Beginners comparing BI tools

Course Link: Alison: Master Microsoft Power BI

4. LinkedIn Learning: Power BI Essential Training

Duration: 3-4 hours
Course Fee: Free with 30-day LinkedIn trial, then subscription

What You Will Learn:

• Data connection steps: Importing Excel sheets, CSV files, and folders
• Report view basics: Fields pane, filters pane, and formatting options
• Intro DAX: Creating calculated fields for KPIs
• Visual formatting logic: Titles, legends, colours, and layout flow
• Export methods: Saving reports as PDF, images, and Power BI Service uploads

What You’ll Build for Your Portfolio:

• Beginner sales dashboard: With visuals and filter options
• DAX practice PBIX file: Contains simple calculated measures
• LinkedIn certificate badge: Auto-added to profile after completion

Best For:

• Learners who already use LinkedIn
• Beginners who need quick certification proof
• Employees creating basic BI reports

Course Link: LinkedIn Learning: Power BI Essential Training

5. YouTube + Certificate: Power BI Full Course Playlist by Kevin Stratvert

Duration: 3+ hours (single structured playlist)
Course Fee: Free course, free certificate quiz via Google Form

What You Will Learn:

• Power BI interface: Report, data, and model views
• Data import workflow: Excel sheets, online sources, and sample datasets
• Power Query actions: Remove rows, split columns, change data types
• Beginner DAX formulas: SUM, COUNTROWS, CALCULATE
• Dashboard publishing: Uploading to Power BI Service for sharing

What You’ll Build for Your Portfolio:

• Dashboard recreation: Based on the walkthrough in the playlist
• PBIX project file: With visuals, slicers, and measures
• Certificate of completion: Provided after quiz submission

Best For:

• Self-learners who prefer video-based learning
• Students creating their first portfolio project
• Beginners who want a free certificate through a quick test

Note: Some learners use external quiz-based certificates, not officially issued by YouTube or the instructor.

Course Link: YouTube Power BI Full Course Playlist by Kevin Stratvert

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Career Paths That Require Power BI Skills

Power BI plays a key role in data reporting across multiple departments. Finance teams use dashboards to track revenue trends and expense patterns, while marketing teams review campaign results through interactive visuals. In supply chain operations, Power BI reports help analyse stock levels and order flow, and HR teams rely on its insights to study hiring metrics and retention numbers. By applying Power BI projects to real datasets, professionals learn to convert raw tables into readable insights that support faster and smarter team decisions.

Roles That Commonly List Power BI in Requirements

• Business Analyst: Works with cross-functional data to prepare performance dashboards
• Data Analyst: Cleans data, builds visuals, and supports stakeholders with report queries
• Power BI Developer: Focuses on DAX, modeling, and automation inside Power BI Service
• Reporting Executive: Prepares daily, weekly, and monthly reports for management teams

Also, Read: Top 30 Power BI Developer Interview Questions and Answers

How long does it take to Learn Power BI?

Learners who already work with Excel can grasp the Power BI interface within a week. Understanding DAX and data modelling requires patience and repetition. Building dashboards using real data helps learners gain confidence. A guided project turns basic knowledge into usable skill.

What Affects Your Learning Timeline?

• Previous experience with spreadsheets
  Familiarity with tables, formulas, and charts speeds up progress
• Time available for practice
  Daily practice improves recall and reduces errors
• Complexity of the datasets you work with
  Large or messy data takes longer to clean and model

Skills That Increase Your Value After Learning Power BI

Employers prefer candidates who combine dashboard skills with data extraction or processing abilities. A single tool is rarely enough in practical projects. Pairing Power BI with a second skill makes you more useful to a team.

Strong Combinations

• Power BI with SQL: Helps you pull clean data from databases
• Power BI with Excel: Supports quick reporting tasks in smaller teams
• Power BI with basic Python: Useful for cleaning raw text files or automating input files

How to Choose the Right Free Power BI Course? 

Free courses vary in length, depth, and certificate type. Some offer hands-on labs while others focus on theory. Learners should review course pages before enrolling.

Factors That Help You Decide

• Length of the course: Short courses offer quick exposure, while longer ones offer structured learning
• Free or paid certificate: Some platforms provide free learning, but charge for the document
• Practical tasks included or not: Projects and quizzes support better understanding
• Availability of sample datasets: Learners need files to practise outside lessons

What Makes a Good Power BI Portfolio Project?

A strong Power BI Developer project shows more than visuals. It proves that you can handle the full workflow, from raw data to a finished report. Recruiters expect clarity, logical data modelling, and a short written summary that explains the insights behind the dashboard.

Elements Recruiters Expect to See

• Data source explanation: Short note on where the data came from and why it matters
• Dashboard layout with filters and slices: Allows viewers to explore results without editing visuals
• At least one calculated field: Demonstrates basic DAX knowledge
• Summary of key insights: Shows you can interpret the chart, not only build it

How to Add Power BI Certificates to LinkedIn?

Certificates boost keyword visibility and help recruiters filter profiles during hiring. Adding the certificate also gives weight to entry-level applications.

Steps to Add a Certificate

• Open LinkedIn and go to the Licenses and Certifications section
• Enter the course name, provider, and issue date
• Paste the certificate URL if provided

Free Resources to Practice Power BI After the Course

Learners need practical data to stay consistent after training. Public datasets help you build new dashboards and try fresh visuals. Repeated practice improves logic, design, and speed.

Reliable Practice Sources

• Microsoft sample datasets: Come with clean files used in official demos
• Kaggle open datasets: Offers varied data such as sales, sports, and finance
• Data from government portals: Provides authentic datasets for public analysis

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Final Words

Power BI continues to shape the way companies read and use data, which is why it has become a valuable skill for learners who want roles in analytics and reporting. The tool bridges the gap between raw tables and meaningful dashboards that help teams act with clarity. Free courses give beginners an entry point without financial pressure, and certificates add proof of learning that supports resumes and LinkedIn profiles. Consistent practice with real datasets builds confidence, while portfolio projects show recruiters that the learner can apply concepts in real situations. Every new skill in Power BI strengthens career growth in data-driven roles.

FAQs

1. Is Power BI worth learning for beginners in data careers?

Yes, Power BI is worth learning because it helps beginners move into entry-level roles in reporting and analytics. Recruiters value candidates who can convert raw sheets into clear dashboards that support business decisions.

2. Can I learn Power BI for free and still get a certificate?

Yes, several platforms offer free Power BI courses with certificates, including GUVI, Microsoft Learn, Simplilearn SkillUp, DataFlair, and Alison. These courses help learners build skills without paying for premium training.

3. How long does it take to learn Power BI for job use?

Learners with basic Excel knowledge can understand Power BI in a week, but real confidence comes from practice with datasets, DAX formulas, and a portfolio project. Consistent hands-on work is the fastest way to reach a job-ready level.