Introduction to Using Power BI to Create Data Visualizations

Session Description

• What: Learn to use a market-leading, point-and-click data visualization tool, Power BI, by creating visualizations, such as bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, and scatter plots.
• Why: Learning data visualization skills and tools will help you gain insights into your data, communicate your findings, and stand out in the job market.
• Software: Power BI Desktop is free to everyone at U of T. You can also use it in the Robarts Library 4th floor computer lab and the Map & Data Library (MDL) data lab on the 5th floor. [NOTE: It only runs natively on Windows. The online version is different and limited, and it will not be covered in this workshop]
• Who: This workshop is designed for those new to Power BI Desktop and data visualization. Skills gained can help participants from any discipline: Humanities, Social Sciences, or Sciences. There are no prerequisites or assumptions of knowledge of statistics or programming.
• When: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, 2-4pm
• Where: MDL Data Lab, 5th floor of Robarts Library (Room 5031)
• How: This is a 2-hour in-person workshop, consisting of a short lecture and then a series of demonstrations, which you can follow along with or just watch, interspersed with self-paced activities. There are no breaks.

• Code of Conduct: Map & Data Library (MDL) workshops are a welcoming and inclusive environment for learning. To learn more, check out our Code of Conduct
• Accessibility: The MDL is committed to making our workshops accessible to everyone. If you require an accommodation to fully participate in the workshop, please contact Kelly Schultz (kelly.schultz@utoronto.ca) to discuss options.
• Complementary Learning Materials: Check out our Getting Started Guide for a recording of this workshop, more tutorials, online data visualization courses, and more.

Join your peers to meet new people and learn new skills in a welcoming and encouraging environment!