Syllabus · Data & Analytics

Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300) Skills Explained

intermediate

The Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300) skills measured explained in plain English with official weightings: prepare, model, visualize and secure data.

By The Exam Atlas Editorial Team · Verified 2026-06-06

PL-300 is organised into four skill areas. This is a plain-English summary with the official Microsoft weightings; the Microsoft Learn study guide is authoritative.

#Skill areaOfficial weight
1Prepare the data25–30%
2Model the data25–30%
3Visualize and analyze the data25–30%
4Manage and secure Power BI15–20%

1 - Prepare the data

Connect to data sources, then clean, transform and shape the data in Power Query: fixing types and errors, splitting and merging columns, appending and merging queries, and profiling and resolving data-quality issues.

2 - Model the data

Design a star-schema model of fact and dimension tables, create relationships with the right cardinality and filter direction, and write DAX measures and calculated columns, including basic time intelligence.

3 - Visualize and analyze the data

Choose and format appropriate visuals, add interactivity (slicers, drill-through, bookmarks, tooltips), and use the report to identify patterns and answer business questions.

4 - Manage and secure Power BI

Manage workspaces and datasets, configure row-level security (RLS), set scheduled refresh, and share content with the right audience.

FAQ

What does the PL-300 exam cover?
Four skill areas: preparing the data (Power Query), modelling the data (star schema and DAX), visualising and analysing the data (reports and visuals), and managing and securing Power BI (workspaces, refresh and row-level security).

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