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Portfolio Builder: Presidential Elections Data
Build a dynamic Power BI report analyzing historic US presidential election data (1820–2004). Sharpen your data skills and create a standout portfolio project.
Embark on a hands-on journey to create a professional, portfolio-ready Power BI report analyzing historical U.S. presidential election data from 1820 to 2004. In this course, you will learn to connect and transform raw election datasets into meaningful insights, exploring trends, voter demographics, party shifts, and landmark moments in American political history. Through step-by-step instruction, you will design interactive dashboards and dynamic visualizations that highlight key election outcomes, voting patterns, and historical context. Along the way, you will apply best practices in data modeling, DAX (Data Analysis Expressions), and storytelling to build a powerful, visually compelling report. By the end of the course, you will have a polished Power BI project showcasing your ability to handle complex datasets and present insights effectively—an impressive addition to your professional portfolio. This course is perfect for aspiring data analysts, history enthusiasts, or anyone looking to enhance their data visualization skills with a real-world, historically rich project.
Course Outline ( Free Preview)
Portfolio Builder: Presidential Elections Data - What You Need to Get Started
Module 01 - Introduction
In this module, Greg Trzeciak guides students through the process of building interactive and insightful reports using Power BI, focusing on Presidential Election Data from 1820 to 2004. Students will learn essential skills in data cleansing, shaping, and modeling, as well as advanced visualization techniques to create compelling reports. By the end of the course, students will have a polished portfolio piece and the confidence to tackle any data project.
Module 02 - Data Overview and Goals
In this module, Greg guides students through the essential components of analyzing election data using Power BI. Students will explore various data sets, including candidate information, election results, and state demographics, to create comprehensive visual reports. By the end of the module, students will be adept at identifying close elections, mapping electoral outcomes, and leveraging AI visualizations to enhance their data analysis skills.
Module 03 - Connecting to Data and Data Modeling15 min.
In this module, Greg guides students through the process of connecting Power BI to an Excel workbook, emphasizing the importance of clean data for accurate analysis. Students will learn how to use the Power Query Editor to transform and prepare data, creating a star schema with fact and dimension tables. By the end of the module, students will be able to build and visualize data models effectively in Power BI.
Module 04 - Page Setup and Themes17 min.
In this module, Greg guides students through the process of creating and customizing data visualizations using a data model. He demonstrates how to build various charts, such as stacked bar charts, and explains the importance of features like on-object interaction and formatting options. Additionally, Greg covers the setup of report pages, including the use of navigators and thematic elements, to enhance the overall presentation and usability of the data reports.
Module 05 - DAX17 min.
In this module, Greg guides students through the process of creating visualizations by leveraging DAX calculations to build measures and calculated columns. The focus is on comparing candidates' performance across different time periods by normalizing electoral and popular votes, ensuring a fair comparison. Students will learn to create and format measures for total electoral votes, popular votes, and their respective percentages, enhancing their ability to analyze election data effectively.
Module 06 - Elections Page35 min.
In this module, Greg guides students through the process of building a comprehensive elections data visualization using DAX and Power Query Editor. Students will learn how to create calculated columns, apply conditional formatting, and use slicers to filter data effectively. By the end of the module, students will be able to construct a detailed and interactive elections page that highlights key metrics and trends.
Module 07 - Maps Page17 min.
In this module, Greg guides students through the process of creating and customizing electoral maps using various tools and techniques. Students will learn to visualize electoral data effectively, exploring different map types such as traditional maps, Azure Maps, and shape maps, while understanding the implications of each approach. By the end of the module, students will be able to create detailed and informative electoral maps, enhancing their data presentation skills.
Module 08 - Politicians Page20 min.
In this module, Greg explores the creation and manipulation of maps to visualize presidential election data effectively. He demonstrates how to use Power BI to integrate candidate images and names, enhancing the user experience with interactive visuals. Additionally, Greg introduces custom visuals like the Chiclet Slicer to provide a more dynamic and navigable interface for comparing historical election candidates.
Module 09 - AI Page26 min.
In this module, Greg explores how to leverage AI-driven visualizations to provide users with insightful data analysis. He highlights the use of the decomposition tree visual, demonstrating how to break down electoral votes by party and region, and emphasizes the importance of bookmarks and buttons to manage space effectively in reports. Students will learn to create interactive and visually appealing reports that enhance data interpretation and user engagement.
Module 10 - Electoral Page13 min.
In this module, Greg explores the historical changes in electoral votes and population across the United States from the 18th to the 20th century. Students will learn to visualize these changes using maps, column charts, and slicers, highlighting significant shifts in states like California and Florida. The module emphasizes understanding the relationship between popular votes and electoral votes, providing a comprehensive view of the evolving political landscape.
Module 11 - Tooltip and Drillthrough15 min.
In this module, Greg introduces advanced reporting features such as Drillthroughs and Tooltips to enhance data visualization. Students will learn how to create detailed Drillthrough pages for in-depth data analysis and customize Tooltips for immediate data insights. By the end of the module, students will be able to implement these features to create comprehensive and interactive reports.
Module 12 - Conclusion1 min.
Congratulations on completing the course! Feel proud of what you've created and don't forget to share your work with the world and with us here at Pragmatic Works. Your portfolio is now hopefully a lot stronger and you're more prepared than ever to take on new data challenges.
Gregory Trzeciak has his master’s degree in Education from the University of Florida. He has 9 years of teaching experience in high school, college level, and summer programs where he was recognized as a top educator and leader in interactive education. As a trainer at Pragmatic Works, his primary goal is to help individuals gain confidence in using Power BI and the Power Platform. While not in the office, he enjoys fantasy football, walking his dog, and running half-marathons!
