Creating a data model from multiple Excel files

[LUNM]

Hello,

I'm currently building a dashboard which uses KPIs from several different Excel files (around 10). I'd like to create a star schema model with fact and dimension tables but we don't have a consultant to build a data warehouse at my company. Does someone have any tips on how to create a data model that optimizes performance and usability while only using Power BI Desktop?

[marcelsmaglhaes · Accepted solution]

Hey @LUNM !

You can create a star schema model in memory, breaking the tables that you bring from Excel. Maybe this link helps: Understand star schema and the importance for Power BI - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

If this posts helps, please mark as solved to help other users find quickly in our community 😃

Regards,
Marcel

[LUNM]

Thank you for your answer. So would it be better to duplicate the files and create facts and dimensions tables or create calculated tables using DAX?

[marcelsmaglhaes]

Hey @LUNM !

ETL is preferrable to be done in Power Query always. Of course sometimes we create a DAX table, but its for pontual cases. 😃

Regards,
Marcel

[LUNM]

Thank you @marcelsmaglhaes !

The problem I have now is it takes a long time to load the Excel files everytime and then create a list with each element that I want to create a dimension table with.