Interface overview (Report, Data, Model views) in Power BI - Real Business Scenario

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a new Power BI user learning to create reports.

📋 Request: Your manager wants you to understand how to navigate the Power BI interface, especially the Report, Data, and Model views, so you can build reports efficiently.

📊 Data: You have a simple sales dataset with columns: Date, Product, Region, Sales Amount, and Quantity.

🎯 Deliverable: Create a short guide with examples showing how to use the Report view to build visuals, the Data view to inspect data, and the Model view to see relationships.

Sample Data

Date	Product	Region	Sales Amount	Quantity
2024-01-01	Widget A	North	100	5
2024-01-02	Widget B	South	150	3
2024-01-03	Widget A	East	200	7
2024-01-04	Widget C	West	120	4
2024-01-05	Widget B	North	180	6
2024-01-06	Widget C	South	130	5
2024-01-07	Widget A	East	170	8
2024-01-08	Widget B	West	160	4

1

Step 1: Open Power BI Desktop and load the sample sales data.

Use 'Get Data' > 'Excel' or 'CSV' to import the data table.

Expected Result

Data appears in the Data view with all columns visible.

2

Step 2: Switch to the Data view by clicking the Data icon on the left pane.

No formula needed; just click the Data view icon.

Expected Result

You see the table with rows and columns of your sales data.

3

Step 3: Switch to the Model view by clicking the Model icon on the left pane.

No formula needed; just click the Model view icon.

Expected Result

You see the table(s) as boxes and any relationships between them (none yet).

4

Step 4: Switch to the Report view by clicking the Report icon on the left pane.

No formula needed; just click the Report view icon.

Expected Result

You see a blank canvas to create visuals.

5

Step 5: Create a simple bar chart showing total Sales Amount by Region.

In Report view, drag 'Region' to Axis and 'Sales Amount' to Values in the Visualizations pane.

Expected Result

A bar chart appears showing sales totals for North, South, East, and West.

6

Step 6: Use the Data view to check the raw numbers behind the chart.

Switch to Data view and look at the Sales Amount column grouped by Region.

Expected Result

You see the sales amounts for each region matching the bar chart.

7

Step 7: Use the Model view to understand how tables relate (if you had multiple tables).

In Model view, observe table connections or create relationships if needed.

Expected Result

You understand how data tables connect to support your reports.

Final Result

Report View

↓

Data View

↓

Model View

✓Report view is where you build and see visuals like charts.

✓Data view lets you inspect the actual data in tables.

✓Model view shows how tables connect, helping you understand data structure.

Bonus Challenge

Add a new table with product categories and create a relationship to the sales data in Model view. Then update the report to show sales by product category.

Show Hint

Use 'Enter Data' to create a small product category table, then drag to create a relationship in Model view. Use the new category field in your visuals.