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Power BI Interview Questions in Ahmedabad

36 practice questions with answers for Power BI interviews in Ahmedabad.

Power BI jobs in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad and GIFT City have a growing market for IT services, fintech and product start-ups. Companies here value hands-on skills and the ability to work across tools, especially in smaller teams.

Below are 36 questions that match the mix of service, product and domain employers hiring power bi developers in Ahmedabad.

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01

A YTD measure returns blank for future months on a chart. Users want the line to stop at today. How?

Advanced DAX and Time IntelligenceMedium
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The issue is the opposite for many teams: YTD repeats the last value for future months. I would add a condition so the measure returns BLANK when the period starts after the last date with data, for example IF(MIN('Date'[Date]) > [Last Sales Date], BLANK(), TOTALYTD(...)). Alternatively add a column flagging dates up to today in the date table and filter the visual on it.
02

What are active and inactive relationships?

Data ModellingMedium
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Only one active relationship can exist between two tables along a filter path; additional relationships become inactive and appear as dashed lines. For example, Sales may have OrderDate and ShipDate both linked to Date, with OrderDate active. An inactive relationship is used only inside a measure with USERELATIONSHIP, such as CALCULATE([Sales], USERELATIONSHIP(Sales[ShipDate], 'Date'[Date])).
03

Users say the report shows yesterday's data even after a refresh. How do you troubleshoot?

Power BI FundamentalsMedium
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I would check the refresh history in the Service for errors or whether the refresh actually ran, confirm the gateway is online and has valid credentials, and verify the source itself has the latest data. Then check for cached dashboard tiles, query caching, or an incremental refresh policy that excludes recent days. Also confirm users are viewing the right workspace or app version, which may need republishing.
04

Business users keep asking for edits directly in production reports. How do you set up a better process?

Power BI Service, Sharing and SecurityMedium
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I would set up separate Development, Test and Production workspaces with a deployment pipeline, store PBIP files in Git, and route requests through a simple backlog. Changes are built in Dev, reviewed by a key user in Test and deployed to Production on a release schedule. Users consume through an app, so production stays stable and changes are traceable.
05

A DirectQuery report is slow and the database team complains about load. What do you do?

Performance Optimisation and AdministrationHard
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I would check which queries are slow using Performance Analyzer and the database's query logs. Then reduce visuals per page, add Import-mode aggregation tables for common summary views, set dimensions to Dual mode, and apply query reduction options so slicers send queries only on Apply. On the source side, indexes or columnstore tables help. If real-time is not essential, moving to Import with frequent refresh may be simpler.
06

What is a snowflake schema and should you avoid it in Power BI?

Data ModellingMedium
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A snowflake schema normalises dimensions into several related tables, such as Product linked to Subcategory linked to Category. It saves little space in Power BI because columnar compression already handles repetition, and it adds relationships, longer filter paths and a more confusing field list. Usually it is better to flatten these into one Product dimension in Power Query, keeping the model a clean star.
07

What is the Dual storage mode?

Performance Optimisation and AdministrationHard
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Dual mode tables act as Import or DirectQuery depending on the query. In a composite model, dimension tables set to Dual can be served from memory when joined to Import aggregation tables, and sent to the source when joined to DirectQuery fact tables, avoiding slow cross-source joins. It is commonly used for dimensions in models that mix aggregations with DirectQuery detail.
08

What are tooltips and report page tooltips?

Visualisation and Report DesignMedium
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Default tooltips show field values when hovering over a data point. Report page tooltips let you design a small custom page, set as a tooltip page type, showing extra visuals like a mini trend chart for the hovered category. They add detail without cluttering the main page. Keep tooltip pages light because they run queries on every hover.
09

What is the difference between Group By in Power Query and summarising in DAX?

Power Query and Data TransformationMedium
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Group By in Power Query aggregates rows at refresh time and stores only the summarised table, reducing model size, which is useful when detail is never needed. Summarising in DAX through measures keeps detail in the model and aggregates dynamically for any filter at query time. Use Power Query grouping for fixed summaries such as monthly snapshots, and DAX measures when users need flexible slicing.
10

A business user asks to merge customer and sales into one table to make it easier. How do you respond?

Data ModellingEasy
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I would explain that a star schema with separate Customer and Sales tables is easier for them in practice: slicers are cleaner, totals are correct and reports run faster. To keep it user-friendly I would hide key columns, organise measures in display folders and name fields in plain language. I would show them the field list so they see simplicity on the surface.
11

Why do you want to work as a Power BI developer?

Power BI FundamentalsEasy
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I like turning raw data into clear answers that people can act on. In my projects I enjoyed the full flow: cleaning messy Excel and SQL data, designing a proper model, writing DAX and making reports that users actually open every day. Power BI is widely used across Indian companies and global clients, so the role offers strong growth into data analytics, data engineering with Fabric, or BI architecture.
12

What is the difference between Merge Queries and Append Queries?

Power Query and Data TransformationEasy
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Merge is like a SQL join: it combines columns from two tables based on matching key columns, with join kinds like left outer, inner, full outer, left anti and right anti. Append stacks rows of tables with the same structure on top of each other, like a SQL UNION ALL, for example combining monthly sales files. Merge widens a table, append lengthens it.
13

Write a measure for percentage of grand total sales.

DAX FundamentalsMedium
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Sales % of Total = DIVIDE( [Total Sales], CALCULATE([Total Sales], REMOVEFILTERS('Product')) ) This gives each product's share of total across all products. Use ALLSELECTED('Product') instead if the denominator should respect slicer selections on products.
14

What are aggregation tables and how do they improve performance?

Performance Optimisation and AdministrationHard
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Aggregation tables store pre-summarised data, such as sales by day, product and store, in Import mode, while detail stays in a large DirectQuery table. With Manage aggregations, Power BI automatically answers queries from the small aggregation when the requested grain allows it and falls back to detail otherwise. This gives fast summary visuals on billion-row data while still allowing drill to detail.
15

Users want to analyse sales by both order date and delivery date in the same report. What do you do?

Data ModellingMedium
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I would keep the Date table related to OrderDate as the active relationship and add an inactive relationship to DeliveryDate. Then create measures like Sales by Delivery Date using USERELATIONSHIP. If users need separate slicers for both dates at the same time, I would create a second Delivery Date table as a role-playing copy related actively to the delivery column.
16

Split a datetime column to reduce cardinality in Power Query.

Performance Optimisation and AdministrationMedium
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= Table.AddColumn(Source, "OrderDateOnly", each DateTime.Date([OrderDateTime]), type date) = Table.AddColumn(Prev, "OrderHour", each Time.Hour([OrderDateTime]), Int64.Type) Then remove the original OrderDateTime column. A datetime with seconds can have millions of unique values, while date and hour columns have only thousands and 24 values, compressing much better.
17

What is the difference between SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR, DATEADD and PARALLELPERIOD?

Advanced DAX and Time IntelligenceMedium
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SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR shifts the current dates back exactly one year. DATEADD shifts by any number of days, months, quarters or years, such as DATEADD('Date'[Date], -1, MONTH) for last month. PARALLELPERIOD also shifts by an interval but returns the full shifted period, for example the whole previous quarter even if only one month is selected. Choose based on whether partial periods should be compared.
18

Create a date table in Power Query using M.

Power Query and Data TransformationMedium
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let StartDate = #date(2022, 1, 1), EndDate = #date(2026, 12, 31), Days = Duration.Days(EndDate - StartDate) + 1, Dates = List.Dates(StartDate, Days, #duration(1, 0, 0, 0)), T = Table.FromList(Dates, Splitter.SplitByNothing(), {"Date"}), Typed = Table.TransformColumnTypes(T, {{"Date", type date}}), Y = Table.AddColumn(Typed, "Year", each Date.Year([Date]), Int64.Type), M = Table.AddColumn(Y, "Month", each Date.MonthName([Date]), type text) in M
19

How do you set up drill-through to a customer details page?

Visualisation and Report DesignEasy
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Create a new page named Customer Details, add visuals showing customer information, orders and trends, and drag Customer Name or Customer ID into the Drill through well in the Visualizations pane. Power BI adds a back button automatically. Users can now right-click a customer in any visual and choose Drill through, Customer Details, and the page opens filtered to that customer.
20

How do you create a dynamic axis using field parameters?

Visualisation and Report DesignMedium
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Go to Modeling, New parameter, Fields, and add the fields such as Region, Category and Channel. Power BI creates a parameter table and slicer. Put the parameter field on the axis of a chart; users select which dimension to show from the slicer. You can add measures to a separate field parameter so users switch both the measure and the axis.
21

What is a dataflow and how is it different from Power Query in Desktop?

Power Query and Data TransformationMedium
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A dataflow runs Power Query transformations in the Power BI Service and stores the result in the cloud, so multiple semantic models can reuse the same cleaned tables. Desktop Power Query logic lives inside one model only. Dataflows Gen2 in Fabric can also write output to lakehouses or warehouses. Dataflows centralise preparation logic, reduce duplicate source load and separate data prep from modelling.
22

How do you explain a data model to a non-technical stakeholder?

Data ModellingEasy
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I use a simple analogy: the fact table is the list of transactions, and dimensions are the labels we use to slice them, like date, product and region. I show the model diagram with only main tables and explain that slicers work through these links. Then I demonstrate one visual changing when a slicer changes, which makes the idea concrete quickly.
23

Each regional manager must see only their region, and the CEO must see everything. How do you implement this?

Power BI Service, Sharing and SecurityMedium
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I would build dynamic RLS with a security table of Email and Region, related to the Region dimension, and a role filter Security[Email] = USERPRINCIPALNAME(). The CEO and other full-access users get an 'All' flag handled in the rule, or are placed in a separate role with no filter. I would test with View as role in Desktop and in the Service before publishing the app.
24

Write a running total measure.

Advanced DAX and Time IntelligenceMedium
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Running Total = VAR maxDate = MAX('Date'[Date]) RETURN CALCULATE( [Total Sales], 'Date'[Date] <= maxDate, REMOVEFILTERS('Date') ) REMOVEFILTERS clears the current period filter so all earlier dates are included. In a visual-only scenario, the visual calculation RUNNINGSUM is simpler.
25

When would you use a custom visual and what are the risks?

Visualisation and Report DesignMedium
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Custom visuals from AppSource add chart types not built in, such as Gantt charts, sankey diagrams or advanced KPI cards. Risks include performance issues, limited support, export and accessibility gaps, and data security, since some visuals may call external services. Prefer certified visuals, check organisational policy, since admins can restrict them, and use built-in visuals where they meet the need.
26

How does the VertiPaq engine store and compress data?

Performance Optimisation and AdministrationMedium
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VertiPaq is the in-memory columnar engine for Import models. It stores each column separately and compresses it using dictionary encoding, which maps unique values to integers, value encoding for numbers, and run-length encoding for repeated sequences. Compression depends mostly on column cardinality, so columns with few unique values compress very well, while unique IDs and precise timestamps take most of the memory.
27

Write a 3-month rolling average measure.

Advanced DAX and Time IntelligenceHard
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Sales 3M Avg = VAR periods = DATESINPERIOD('Date'[Date], MAX('Date'[Date]), -3, MONTH) RETURN CALCULATE( AVERAGEX(VALUES('Date'[Month Year]), [Total Sales]), periods ) AVERAGEX over months averages monthly totals instead of daily values. Month Year must be a column in the date table.
28

What is the difference between ISFILTERED, ISINSCOPE and HASONEVALUE?

Advanced DAX and Time IntelligenceHard
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ISFILTERED returns true if a column has a direct filter. HASONEVALUE returns true when exactly one value is visible, useful before SELECTEDVALUE. ISINSCOPE returns true when a column is the current grouping level in a visual hierarchy, which is the most reliable way to detect subtotal versus detail rows in matrices. For example, IF(ISINSCOPE('Product'[Product]), [Sales], BLANK()) hides subtotals.
29

What is an on-premises data gateway and when is it needed?

Power BI Service, Sharing and SecurityEasy
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The on-premises data gateway is software installed on a machine inside the company network that securely connects the Power BI Service to on-premises sources such as SQL Server, file shares or Oracle. It is needed for scheduled refresh and DirectQuery to those sources. Standard mode supports many users and is centrally managed; personal mode is for a single user. Cloud sources usually do not need a gateway.
30

What is the difference between COUNT, COUNTA, COUNTROWS and DISTINCTCOUNT?

DAX FundamentalsEasy
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COUNT counts non-blank values in a column, COUNTA counts non-blank values of any type, COUNTROWS counts rows in a table, and DISTINCTCOUNT counts unique values in a column. For example, COUNTROWS(Sales) gives order lines while DISTINCTCOUNT(Sales[CustomerID]) gives active customers. COUNTROWS is generally preferred for counting records because its intent is clearer.
31

Why do you need a dedicated date table?

Data ModellingEasy
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A date table gives one row per day with columns like year, quarter, month, week and fiscal periods, so all facts can be analysed on a common calendar. Time intelligence functions such as TOTALYTD and SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR need a contiguous date column, and the table should be marked as a date table. It also avoids the many hidden auto date/time tables that bloat the model.
32

How do you use Performance Analyzer in Power BI Desktop?

Performance Optimisation and AdministrationEasy
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Open View, Performance Analyzer, click Start recording and then Refresh visuals or interact with the page. Each visual shows total duration split into DAX query, visual display and other. Sort by duration to find the slowest visuals, expand them and choose Copy query to paste into DAX Studio for deeper analysis. Clear the cache between tests so timings are realistic.
33

What is the difference between Power Query M and DAX?

Power Query and Data TransformationEasy
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M is the language of Power Query, used at refresh time to extract, clean and shape data before it enters the model, such as merging tables or splitting columns. DAX is used after data is loaded, to define measures, calculated columns and security that evaluate in filter context at query time. As a rule, do row-level shaping in M or the source and dynamic calculations in DAX.
34

Tell me about a time you found a wrong number in a published report.

DAX FundamentalsMedium
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Situation: a regional head noticed our margin report did not match finance. Task: find and fix it quickly. Action: I compared numbers at product level, found returns were double-subtracted because a measure used both a net amount column and a returns table. I fixed the measure, added a reconciliation page against finance totals and informed users. Result: numbers matched to the rupee and the reconciliation check became standard.
35

Users export large amounts of sensitive data from reports to Excel. How do you control it?

Power BI Service, Sharing and SecurityHard
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I would review whether export is really needed and adjust export settings per report or at tenant level, for example allowing only summarised data. I would apply Purview sensitivity labels so exported files keep protection, use RLS and OLS to limit what can be exported, and monitor exports through the activity log. For legitimate detailed needs, a governed paginated report is better.
36

What are query parameters in Power Query?

Power Query and Data TransformationMedium
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Parameters are named values used inside queries, such as server name, database, file path or a date range. They let you switch from a development to a production database without editing each query, and they are required for incremental refresh through RangeStart and RangeEnd. Parameters can be changed in the Service under semantic model settings, which helps deployment pipelines between environments.

Frequently asked questions

Which companies hire Power BI professionals in Ahmedabad?

Companies with large offices in Ahmedabad include many IT services and product firms. Use their company pages below to practise employer-specific sets.

Are Power BI interviews in Ahmedabad different from other cities?

The questions depend more on the company than the city. Ahmedabad's mix of employers decides the style: Companies here value hands-on skills and the ability to work across tools, especially in smaller teams

How do I find Power BI jobs in Ahmedabad?

Shortlist companies with Ahmedabad offices, keep your CV focused on Power BI projects, apply on company career pages and job portals with the Ahmedabad filter, and practise the questions on this page before each interview.

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