Emily Taylor

Emily Taylor

Power BI Trainer

Meet Emily Taylor

About

Emily graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and the University of North Florida with a master's degree in educational leadership. After 11 years of teaching varying grades (K-5) in Indiana and Florida, she joined the Pragmatic Works team as a Power BI Trainer. Emily's primary goal is to provide engaging trainings that help customers gain confidence using Power BI. When not in the office, Emily enjoys camping, the beach, cheerleading, and visiting family in Indiana.

Certifications

PL-300: Power BI Data Analyst Associate

Microsoft

DP-900: Azure Data Fundamentals

Microsoft

PL-900: Power Platform Fundamentals

Microsoft

DP-800: SQL AI Developer Associate

Microsoft

Courses

Course

Top Functions in Excel

In this course, Emily will guide you through the essential functions of Excel, empowering you to enhance data analysis efficiency and reduce errors across a wide range of tasks. You'll begin by mastering fundamental concepts such as formulas, functions, and cell referencing to build a strong foundation. From there, Emily introduces key text string functions like CONCAT and TRIM for manipulating and formatting data, followed by logical functions such as IF and AND to help with decision-making in formulas. You'll then explore common math functions, including SUM and AVERAGE, as well as statistical functions like COUNT and COUNTIF for analyzing data sets. Lookup and reference functions, including VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP, are covered to enable efficient data searches. You'll also dive into financial functions for calculating loans and investments, along with date and time functions to manage schedules and timelines. This comprehensive course will leave you well-equipped to manage and analyze data proficiently in Excel, whether for business or personal use.

Course

Intergalactic Learn With The Nerds Day - Data Analytics With Excel

Emily Taylor will show you how to create pivot tables for dynamic data insights in Excel. The session will include writing essential functions to streamline data processing and cleaning data using Power Query Editor, while also covering quick data modeling and how to utilize Power Pivot.

Course

Data Connectors in Power BI

In Data Connectors in Power BI, instructor Emily Taylor walks you through how to connect Power BI to a wide range of data sources. From spreadsheets and databases to online services and cloud platforms, this course is a hands-on guide to bringing your data into Power BI quickly and correctly. Whether you're a beginner or just want a refresher, this course helps you get your connections right the first time. Each module focuses on a specific type of connector, showing you the step-by-step process to connect, load, and start working with your data. Emily also highlights tips for navigating authentication, transforming incoming data, and ensuring your setup is reliable. By the end, you’ll be ready to work confidently with data from just about anywhere.

Course

Using a Live Connection in Power BI

In Using a Live Connection in Power BI, Emily Taylor shows you how to build reports on top of a shared, governed data model—so everyone works from the same, trusted source of truth. You’ll learn what a live connection is, how it differs from Import and DirectQuery, and when it’s the right choice for your project. Through simple, practical examples, you’ll connect to a published semantic model, explore fields, and create visuals that always reflect the latest approved data. The course also highlights the real-world considerations: permissions and workspaces, row-level security behavior, and what you can—and can’t—change in the report layer when using a live connection. You’ll pick up tips for performance, collaboration, and handoffs between model authors and report builders. By the end, you’ll feel confident choosing a live connection and designing reports that are fast, consistent, and easy to maintain.

Course

What is Python?

In What is Python?, Emily Taylor gives you a friendly, practical introduction to one of the most widely used programming languages for automation, analytics, and data work. You’ll learn what Python is, why it’s so popular, and how to start using it without feeling overwhelmed. The course is designed to get you moving quickly, creating scripts, working with data, and understanding the basic workflow Python users rely on every day. You’ll build hands-on confidence by creating a simple project folder, writing your first script, and using Python to manipulate data in a way that feels immediately useful. Emily then brings it all together with a mini end-to-end process and a high-level look at connecting Python to SQL so you can pull real data into your workflow. By the end, you’ll have a clear foundation and a repeatable path for continuing your Python learning.

Course

Intergalactic Learn With The Nerds Week - Microsoft Fabric for Power BI Users

This session is designed for seasoned Power BI users stepping into Microsoft Fabric. Emily Taylor explains how existing Power BI skills carry over and where Fabric introduces new concepts. The focus is helping users orient themselves quickly without relearning everything from scratch.

Course

Python Fundamentals Part 1

In Python Fundamentals Part 1, Emily Taylor introduces learners to the core building blocks of Python through a beginner-friendly, hands-on learning experience. This course is designed for students who are new to Python and need a clear foundation before moving into more advanced scripting, automation, or data-focused work. You’ll start with your first script, then build confidence with variables, data types, calculations, lists, dictionaries, conditions, loops, and functions. This course also introduces the new Python Labs experience, giving learners practical opportunities to apply what they’re learning instead of only watching concepts explained. Each topic builds toward stronger problem-solving habits and a better understanding of how Python code is structured. By the end, you’ll complete a final project that brings the fundamentals together and gives you a meaningful starting point for continuing your Python journey.

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Bootcamps

Boot Camps

Sep 28 Virtual Microsoft Excel Bootcamp

The Introduction to Excel Bootcamp is an intensive course that is designed to get you to use Excel comfortably. You will first learn about the structure of Excel, then you will dive right into learning different types of formulas and functions. Next, you will discover how to create models, tables, and charts to analyze your data better. You will also learn all about PivotTables, PivotCharts, and Power Pivot. This class will take you from Excel novice to PRO in four days! Pragmatic Works bootcamps include interactive, hands-on labs that let you apply what you’re learning in real time. With expert instructors available for guidance and support, you’ll build skills by doing—not just watching.

Boot Camps

Oct 26 Virtual Microsoft Fabric Bootcamp

Microsoft Fabric is an all-in-one analytics solution that encompasses everything from data movement to data science and business intelligence. It offers a comprehensive suite of services, including data lakes, data engineering, and data integration, all within a unified platform. The Microsoft Fabric bootcamp provides a comprehensive overview of the capabilities of Data Factory, Azure Synapse, and Power BI, seamlessly integrated into the Power BI Service. Participants will gain proficiency in the intricacies of the Data Lakehouse architecture, utilizing various technologies such as pipelines, notebooks, and Dataflows Gen 2. Pragmatic Works bootcamps include interactive, hands-on labs that let you apply what you’re learning in real time. With expert instructors available for guidance and support, you’ll build skills by doing—not just watching.

Boot Camps

Dec 14 Virtual DAX Bootcamp

So you’ve been working with DAX in Power BI but either can’t quite complete the calculations needed or maybe you just want to expand your knowledge and utilize more capabilities of DAX to bring your reports to the next level – this is the course for you! In this in-depth DAX Bootcamp, all of your DAX knowledge will be enhanced to a point where you will have the tools to create any kind of calculation that is possible within the DAX language. You will also be learning about best practices, performance tuning, and much more! Pragmatic Works bootcamps include interactive, hands-on labs that let you apply what you’re learning in real time. With expert instructors available for guidance and support, you’ll build skills by doing—not just watching.

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Popular articles by Emily Taylor

How to Use Hierarchies for Visualizations in Power BI

Data Analytics with Excel | Excel Tutorial

How to Turn on Maps in YOUR Reports | Power BI Tutorial

Top 5 Intermediate Functions in Excel

Top 5 ADVANCED Excel Functions

What our clients say