21/09/2017 Create a new Power BI report by importing a dataset | Microsoft Power BI

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Create a new Power BI report by

importing a dataset
By Michele Hart Monday, May 15, 2017

Power BI Service

In this article:

Import the dataset

Add a Radial Gauge to the report

Add an area chart and slicer to the report

Next steps

You've read Reports in Power BI and now you want to create your own. There are many different
ways to create a report, and in this article we'll start by creating a very basic report from an Excel
dataset. Once you understand the basics of creating a report, the Next steps at the bottom will
direct you to more-advanced report topics.

TIP: To create a report by copying an existing report, see Copy a report

Import the dataset

This method of creating a report starts with a dataset and a blank report canvas. To follow along,
download the Retail Analysis sample Excel dataset and save it to OneDrive for Business
(preferred) or locally.
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1. We'll create the report in a Power BI service workspace, so select an existing workspace or
create a new one.

2. From the bottom of the left navbar, select Get data.

3. Select Files and navigate to the location where you saved the Retail Analysis sample.

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4. For this exercise, select Import.

5. Once the dataset is imported, select View dataset.

6. Viewing a dataset actually opens the report editor. You'll see a blank canvas and the report
editing tools.

TIP: If you're unfamiliar with the report editing canvas, or need a refresher, Take a tour of the
report editor before continuing.

Add a Radial Gauge to the report

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Now that our dataset is imported, let's start answering some questions. Our Chief Marketing
Officer (CMO) wants to know how close we are to meeting this year's sales goals. A Gauge is a
good visualization choice for displaying this type of information.

1. In the Fields pane, select Sales > This Year Sales > Value.

2. Convert the visual to a Gauge by selecting the Gauge template from the

VIsualizations pane.

3. Drag Sales > This Year Sales > Goal to the Target value well.

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4. Now would be a good time to save your report.

Add an area chart and slicer to the report

Our CMO has some additional questions for us to answer. She'd like to know how sales this year
compare to last year. And, she'd like to see the findings by district.

1. First, let's make some room on our canvas. Select the Gauge and move it into the top-right
corner. Then grab and drag one of the corners and make it smaller.

2. Deselect the gauge. In the Fields pane, select Sales > This Year Sales > Value and select
Sales > Last Year Sales.

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3. Convert the visual to an Area chart by selecting the Area chart template from the

VIsualizations pane.

4. Select Time > Period to add it to the Axis well.

5. Now let's add the slicer. Select an empty area on the canvas and choose the Slicer

template. This adds an empty slicer to our canvas.

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6. From the Fields pane, select District > District. Move and resize the slicer.

7. Use the slicer to look for patterns and insights by District.

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8. Optionally, continue adding visualizations.

Next steps
Create a copy of a report

Save the report

Add a new page to the report

Learn how to pin visualizations to a dashboard

More questions? Try the Power BI Community

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