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SCENARIO-BASED
POWER BI DEVELOPER
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

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Empowering Learners in Computer Science & Data Analytics
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SCENARIO-BASED POWER BI
DEVELOPER INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS

1. Scenario: Data Modeling

Question:
You have sales data from multiple regions stored in different
tables (e.g., Sales, Products, Customers). How would you
design a data model in Power BI to enable efficient reporting?

Solution:
- Use a star schema design with a central fact table (Sales)
and dimension tables (Products, Customers, Regions).
- Create relationships between the fact table and dimension
tables using primary/foreign keys (e.g., ProductID,
CustomerID).
- Ensure relationships are single-directional and avoid
circular dependencies.
- Use DAX to create calculated columns or measures (e.g.,
Total Sales =SUM(Sales[Amount])).

Explanation:
A star schema simplifies data modeling and improves query
performance. Power BI's engine is optimized for this structure,
enabling faster aggregations and filtering.
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2. Scenario: Performance Optimization

Question:
Your Power BI report is slow. What steps would you take to
optimize its performance?

Solution:
- Data Model Optimization:
- Use star schema.
- Avoid unnecessary columns and rows.
- Use integer keys for relationships.
- DAX Optimization:
- Avoid complex calculated columns; use measures instead.
- Use `SUMMARIZE` or `ADDCOLUMNS` instead of nested
CALCULATE`.
- Data Source Optimization:
- Use DirectQuery for large datasets or aggregate data at the
source.
- Enable query folding in Power Query.
- Report-Level Optimization:
- Limit visuals on a single page.
- Use filters to reduce data loaded into visuals.

Explanation:
Optimizing the data model, DAX, and report design ensures
faster load times and betteruser experience.

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3. Scenario: Incremental Data Refresh

Question:
You have a large dataset that updates daily. How would
you implement incremental refreshin Power BI?

Solution:
- In Power Query, partition the data using a date column
(e.g., `OrderDate`).
- In Power BI Desktop, enable Incremental Refresh in the
dataset settings.
- Set parameters for `RangeStart` and `RangeEnd` to define
the refresh window.
- Configure the incremental refresh policy (e.g., keep 2
years of historical data and refresh
the last 7 days daily).

Explanation:
Incremental refresh reduces the amount of data processed
during each refresh, improving performance and reducing
resource consumption.

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4. Scenario: Row-Level Security (RLS)

Question:
You need to restrict data access so that managers can only
see sales data for their region. How would you implement this
in Power BI?

Solution:
- Create a Role in Power BI Desktop (e.g., "RegionManager").
- Define a DAX filter for the role (e.g., `Sales[Region]
= USERPRINCIPALNAME()`).
- Publish the report to Power BI Service and assign users to the
role.
- Test the role using the "View As" feature in Power BI Desktop.

Explanation:
RLS ensures that users only see data relevant to their role,
maintaining data security and compliance.

5. Scenario: Handling Missing Data

Question:
Your dataset has missing values in key columns (e.g., Sales
Amount). How would you
handle this in Power BI?

Solution:
- In Power Query, use `Replace Values` to fill missing values
(e.g., replace nulls with 0).

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- Alternatively, use DAX to handle missing values in

calculations (e.g.,
`IF(ISBLANK(Sales[Amount]), 0, Sales[Amount])`).
- Ensure data quality by validating the source data.

Explanation:
Handling missing data ensures accurate calculations and
prevents errors in reports.

6. Scenario: Time Intelligence

Question:
You need to calculate Year-to-Date (YTD) sales. How would
you implement this in Power
BI?

Solution:
- Use DAX time intelligence functions:
DAX
YTD Sales = TOTALYTD(SUM(Sales[Amount]), 'Date'[Date])

- Ensure the `Date` table is marked as a date table and has a

continuous date range.

Explanation:
Time intelligence functions simplify complex date-based
calculations like YTD, MTD, and
YoY comparisons.

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7. Scenario: Dynamic Visuals

Question:
You want to allow users to switch between different
measures (e.g., Sales, Profit) in a visual. How would you
implement this?

Solution:
- Create a measure selection table (e.g., `MeasureTable`
with columns: MeasureID,
MeasureName).
- Use a slicer for users to select the measure.
- Create a dynamic measure using `SWITCH`:
DAX
Selected Measure =
SWITCH(
SELECTEDVALUE(MeasureTable[MeasureID]),
1, SUM(Sales[Amount]),
2, SUM(Sales[Profit])
)
- Use the `Selected Measure` in your visual.

Explanation:
Dynamic visuals enhance user interactivity and flexibility in
reports.

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8. Scenario: Data Integration

Question:
You need to combine data from an Excel file and a SQL
database. How would you do this in Power BI?

Solution:
- Use Power Query to connect to both data sources.
- Transform and clean the data (e.g., remove duplicates,
handle nulls).
- Merge or append the tables as needed.
- Load the combined data into Power BI for modeling and
reporting.

Explanation:
Power Query enables seamless integration of data from
multiple sources, ensuring a unified dataset for analysis.

9. Scenario: Custom Visuals

Question:
Your DAX measure is returning errors due to division by zero.
How would you handle this?

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Solution:
- Use Power BI Developer Tools to create custom visuals
using D3.js or R/Python scripts.
- Alternatively, import custom visuals from AppSource if
available.
- Test the custom visual thoroughly to ensure compatibility
and performance.

Explanation:

Custom visuals allow for unique and tailored data

representations, enhancing the report's
effectiveness.

10. Scenario: Error Handling

Question:
Your DAX measure is returning errors due to division by zero.
How would you handle this?

Solution:
- Use the `DIVIDE` function, which automatically handles
division by zero:
DAX
Profit Margin = DIVIDE(Sales[Profit], Sales[Revenue], 0)
- Alternatively, use `IF` to check for zero:
DAX
Profit Margin = IF(Sales[Revenue] = 0, 0, Sales[Profit] /
Sales[Revenue])

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Explanation:
Proper error handling ensures that calculations are robust
and prevent report failures.

11. Scenario: Hierarchical Data

Question:
You have a dataset with hierarchical data (e.g., Category >
Subcategory > Product). How
would you create a drill-down report in Power BI?

Solution:
- Create a hierarchy in the data model (e.g., Category >
Subcategory > Product).
- Use a matrix visual and enable the hierarchy for drill-down.
- Optionally, use DAX to create calculated columns or
measures for hierarchical
calculations (e.g., `PATH` function for parent-child
hierarchies).

Explanation:
Hierarchies and drill-downs allow users to explore data at
different levels of granularity,
enhancing data analysis.

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12. Scenario: Dynamic Titles

Question:
You want to create a dynamic title for a visual that changes
based on user selection (e.g.,
"Sales for [Selected Region]"). How would you implement
this?

Solution:
- Create a measure for the dynamic title:
DAX
Dynamic Title = "Sales for " &
SELECTEDVALUE(Regions[RegionName], "All Regions")
- Add a text box or card visual and bind it to the `Dynamic
Title` measure.

Explanation:
Dynamic titles improve user experience by providing
context-specific information.

13. Scenario: What-If Analysis

Question:
You need to create a what-if scenario where users can
adjust a parameter (e.g., discount
rate) and see its impact on sales. How would you implement
this?

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Solution:
- Create a What-If Parameter in Power BI (e.g., Discount
Rate).
- Use the parameter in a DAX measure:
DAX
Adjusted Sales = SUM(Sales[Amount]) (1 -
DiscountRate[Discount Rate])
- Add a slicer for the parameter to allow user interaction.

Explanation:
What-If analysis enables users to simulate scenarios and
understand the impact of changes.

14. Scenario: Aggregations

Question:
You have a large dataset (e.g., 100M rows) and need to
improve report performance. How would you use
aggregations in Power BI?

Solution:
- Create an aggregation table in Power BI (e.g., pre-
aggregate data at the year/month
level).
- Set up the aggregation table in the data model and
configure it to replace the detailed
table for specific queries.
- Use DirectQuery for detailed data and Import Mode for
aggregated data.

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Explanation:
Aggregations reduce the amount of data processed,
improving performance for large
datasets.

15. Scenario: Custom Date Tables

Question:
You need to create a custom date table with fiscal year logic
(e.g., fiscal year starts in April).
How would you implement this?

Solution:
- Create a custom date table using DAX:
DAX
DateTable =
CALENDAR(DATE(2020, 4, 1), DATE(2025, 3, 31))
- Add columns for fiscal year, quarter, and month:
DAX
Fiscal Year = YEAR('DateTable'[Date]) +
IF(MONTH('DateTable'[Date]) >= 4, 1, 0)
- Mark the table as a date table in Power BI.

Explanation:
Custom date tables are essential for handling non-standard
fiscal calendars.

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16. Scenario: Many-to-Many Relationships

Question:
You have a many-to-many relationship between two tables
(e.g., Sales and Promotions).
How would you handle this in Power BI?

Solution:
- Use a bridge table to resolve the many-to-many
relationship (e.g., a table linking Sales
and Promotions).
- Create relationships between the bridge table and the
main tables.
- Use DAX to handle calculations (e.g., `CALCULATE` with
`USERELATIONSHIP`).

Explanation:
Bridge tables simplify many-to-many relationships, ensuring
accurate data modeling.

17. Scenario: Advanced DAX - Ranking

Question:
You need to rank products by sales within each category.
How would you implement this?

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Solution:
- Use the `RANKX` function in DAX:
DAX
Product Rank =
RANKX(
FILTER(Products, Products[Category]
= EARLIER(Products[Category])),
SUM(Sales[Amount])
)

Explanation:
`RANKX` allows for dynamic ranking based on specified
criteria, enabling advanced
analysis.

18. Scenario: Handling Slowly Changing Dimensions (SCD)

Question:
You have a slowly changing dimension (e.g., Customer
addresses). How would you handle this in Power BI?

Solution:
- Use Type 2 SCD logic in Power Query or SQL to track historical
changes.
- Create a table with start and end dates for each record.
- Use DAX to filter data based on the effective date:
DAX

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Active Customers =
CALCULATE(
DISTINCTCOUNT(Customers[CustomerID]),
Customers[StartDate] <= TODAY() && Customers[EndDate]
>= TODAY()
)

Explanation:
SCD Type 2 ensures historical data accuracy and supports
time-based analysis.

19. Scenario: Advanced Visuals - Waterfall Chart

Question:
You need to create a waterfall chart to show the contribution
of different factors to a total (e.g., profit breakdown). How
would you implement this?

Solution:
- Use the built-in Waterfall Chart visual in Power BI.
- Map the data fields (e.g., Category, Value).
- Use DAX to calculate intermediate values if needed:
DAX
Profit Contribution =
SUM(Sales[Profit]) - SUM(Sales[Cost])

Explanation:
Waterfall charts are ideal for visualizing incremental
contributions to a total.

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20. Scenario: Dataflows vs. Datasets

Question:
You need to decide between using Dataflows and Datasets
in Power BI. What factors would you consider?

Solution:
- Dataflows:
- Use for reusable data preparation (e.g., cleaning,
transformation).

- Ideal for centralized data management.

- Datasets:
- Use for modeling and reporting.
- Ideal for specific reports or dashboards.
- Consider factors like data reuse, performance, and team
collaboration.

Explanation:
Choosing the right tool depends on the use case, data
complexity, and organizational needs.

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