Top 10 Business Intelligence Courses

Written by CFI Team

Read Time 9 minutes

Business Intelligence (BI) is a hot commodity in today’s data-driven landscape. Serving as a toolkit and a series of processes, it enables you to unveil clear insights by transforming raw information into strategic gold.

The beauty of BI lies in its inclusivity. It opens the door for everyone in your team to access the right data at the right time, paving the way for informed decision-making.

The result is a simpler way to identify your business’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. The better you understand BI, the quicker you can elevate your company’s standing among competitors.

If you’re seeking hands-on BI knowledge, you’re in the right place. We’ve compiled a list of the top ten courses to help you cultivate a deep understanding of BI. Let’s explore them together.

The Benefits of Learning BI

Is taking an online Business Intelligence course worth it? Absolutely — and here’s why:

Career advancement opportunities: Learning BI opens doors to a multitude of career opportunities. As organizations increasingly rely on data-driven insights, BI professionals are in high demand. Whether you’re in analytics, reporting, or data management, a solid BI skill set can propel your career forward, making you a valuable asset in today’s competitive job market.

Enhanced decision-making: Armed with crucial BI insights, you can make informed decisions based on real-time information, reducing reliance on gut feelings or guesswork. Whether you’re a manager planning for the future or an entrepreneur deciphering market trends, BI ensures your choices are rooted in data, leading to more successful outcomes.
Increased operational efficiency: BI streamlines data processes, allowing for more efficient workflows. By automating data collection, analysis, and reporting, you save time and resources. This increased efficiency not only boosts productivity but also enables organizations to respond quickly to market changes and make adjustments in real time.
Strategic business growth: With BI, you gain a comprehensive understanding of a business’s strengths and weaknesses. This knowledge empowers you to identify growth opportunities and optimize operations. Whether it’s entering new markets, launching targeted marketing campaigns, or improving customer satisfaction, BI provides the insights needed to steer your business strategically toward sustainable growth.
Competitive edge in the market: Organizations leveraging BI gain a competitive edge. By staying ahead of industry trends, understanding customer behavior, and adapting quickly to market shifts, you position your business as agile and responsive. This not only attracts customers but also makes your organization more resilient in the face of challenges, ensuring long-term success in a dynamic business environment.

10 Best Business Intelligence Courses

Here’s a quick look at the top ten Business Intelligence courses you can consider:

1. Business Intelligence & Data Analyst (BIDA®) Certification

Corporate Finance Institute’s BIDA® Certification Program offers a comprehensive approach to kickstart or advance your career in data analysis. Covering both Business Intelligence and data science, the program spans data storage, collection, transformation, analysis, modeling, and visualization.

With 25 courses, including electives like Power BI Financial Statements and Advanced Tableau, you gain practical skills through real-world case studies. The certification process involves completing 15 core courses, choosing electives, and passing a final exam in BI and data analysis. The self-paced and 100% online program allows flexibility in learning, and upon completion, you receive a blockchain-verified digital certificate.

Fee: Starting from $497 yearly

Image from CFI’s Introduction to Business Intelligence course

2. Intermediate DAX & Time Intelligence

The Intermediate DAX & Time Intelligence course focuses on essential skills for working with data in Excel and Power BI. Covering DAX basics, context manipulation, and time intelligence, the course ensures a solid grounding.

With a focus on simplicity and clarity, you’ll learn about DAX Scalar Functions, DAX Table Functions, Data Modeling & Context, and Date & Time Intelligence. The approximately 6-hour self-paced course, available 100% online, emphasizes practical application, allowing you to start using your newfound skills immediately.

Fee: Starting from $497 yearly

3. Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate

The Microsoft Certified Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification is made for folks who use Power BI for data visualization.

Here’s what it’s about: you’ll become an expert in creating scalable data models, transforming data, and making cool visualizations. To get certified, you need to pass the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst exam. This test checks your skills in getting data ready, creating visuals, doing analysis, and putting it all into action.

Once you’re a Power BI data analyst, you’ll work closely with others, change data, build models, and share your cool insights. The certification is flexible — you can prepare at your own pace or with an instructor.

Fee: $165

4. Business Intelligence with Excel

The Business Intelligence with Excel course from Zero to Mastery is a comprehensive Excel for Business Intelligence Bootcamp, ensuring you become a top-tier Business Intelligence Analyst. It covers the use of advanced Excel “power” tools, including Power Query, Power Pivot Tables, and the DAX formula language.

Business Intelligence with Excel goes beyond theory; you’ll build an end-to-end Business Intelligence solution for a fictional Surf Shop, creating numerous powerful KPIs for in-depth business insights. From Power Query for ETL operations to Data Modeling and DAX programming, you’ll gain proficiency in the essential tools of Excel BI.

The course emphasizes efficiency, presenting the curriculum in basic building blocks, allowing you to progressively build your knowledge from fundamentals to advanced topics. This strategic approach ensures a step-by-step learning experience.

Fee: Starting at $23 monthly

5. Google Business Intelligence Professional Certificate

Designed to be a three-course series, the Google Business Intelligence Professional Certificate program offers foundational knowledge in Business Intelligence.

The first course delves into common BI careers and industries, the impact of data on decision-making, and the role of BI professionals. The second course focuses on building data models, applying the ETL process, and exploring ETL tools. The third course covers designing BI visualizations, practicing BI reporting and dashboard tools, and creating presentations to share insights.

Fee: Starting at $49 monthly

6. Qlik Sense Business Analyst

The Qlik Sense Business Analyst certification validates your ability to identify requirements, design applications, prepare and load data, and develop applications using Qlik Sense.

Practical experience in developing production-quality applications in Qlik Sense is a prerequisite. The certification exam assesses your understanding of UX and design best practices, along with your capability in building visualizations. The exam is a 50-question, multiple-choice test you must complete within two hours.

To prepare for the exam, visit the Qlik Certification web page for prerequisites and attend recommended training sessions for hands-on experience. Use the free Certification Practice Questions and thoroughly study the Exam Domain Areas.

Fee: $250

7. SAP Certified Application Associate: SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform 4.3

The SAP Certified Application Associate certification validates you’re skilled in handling SAP’s BI platform – from designing and deploying to running it smoothly. It confirms your capability to configure and manage servers within an SAP Business Intelligence platform setup. Additionally, you’re recognized for your proficiency in designing and deploying an SAP Business Intelligence platform system.

Note that the certification exam, delivered by Pearson VUE, consists of multiple-choice questions. To get ready for this certification, SAP suggests a mix of hands-on experience and taking educational courses.

Fee: $543 for six attempts or $217 for a single attempt

8. Advanced Tableau – Data Model

The Advanced Tableau – Data Model course is tailored for those with a solid understanding of Tableau aiming to solidify their data modeling skills. Delving into advanced Tableau features for connecting and visualizing data, you’ll master joining, relating, and blending data, adapting your model to evolving business requirements.

Through scenarios and real-world problems, you’ll optimize data model relationships for peak performance. By the course’s end, you’ll think critically about data structure, connections, and performance options.

Fee: Starting from $497 yearly

9: Business Intelligence Concepts, Tools, and Applications

Part of the Data Warehouse for Business Intelligence specialization, the Business Intelligence Concepts, Tools, and Applications course emphasizes the central role of data mining in modern business strategy. It emphasizes the significance of data mining and historical data analysis in shaping strategic decisions.

The curriculum covers the use of MicroStrategy’s OLAP and visualization capabilities and provides insights into how BI technologies support decision-making across various sectors. Suitable for business and computer science students, IT professionals, and business analysts.

Fees: Free for 7 days, then $49 monthly.

10. IBM Data Science Professional Certificate

The IBM Data Science Professional Certificate program, spanning ten online courses, is a comprehensive journey into data science and machine learning. Designed for beginners, it covers SQL datasets, Python for data analysis, machine learning, and more.

The BI course, which takes around 11 months to complete, provides access to soft skills training, resume reviews, interview prep, and career support. It’s a solid choice if you’re seeking a well-rounded understanding of data science.

Fees: Free for 7 days, then $49 monthly

How to Choose the Best Business Intelligence Course for You

Choosing the right Business Intelligence course is crucial for gaining the skills you need. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make an informed decision:

Step 1: Evaluate current skill level and clarify goals

Assess your current knowledge level — are you a beginner or do you have some experience?

Clearly outline your objectives. Are you looking to advance your career, acquire specific skills, or transition to a BI role? Also, identify the specific BI tools or technologies you want to learn, such as Tableau, MicroStrategy, or general data science skills.

Step 2: Review BI course content and curriculum

Examine the course content and curriculum to ensure it aligns with your goals. Look for practical, hands-on exercises that have real-world applications. Decide if you want a specialized course focusing on a particular BI tool or aspect (e.g., data modeling, business analytics) or a more general BI course covering a broader spectrum.

Additionally, check for any prerequisites. Some advanced BI courses may require a basic understanding of data concepts or specific software.

Step 3: Identify your preferred learning style

Research the instructor’s background and teaching style. Opt for courses with experienced instructors who effectively communicate complex concepts. Choose a course format (online, in-person, hybrid) that suits your learning preferences, whether it’s videos, lectures, or interactive sessions.

Step 4: Validate user reviews and testimonials

Check reviews and testimonials from past participants. This can provide insights into the course’s effectiveness, relevance, and the learning experience it offers.

Step 5: Consider course duration, flexibility, and value

Consider the time commitment required for the course and ensure it fits your schedule. Some courses may be self-paced, while others follow a structured timeline. Then compare the cost of the course with the value it provides. Look for additional resources, such as study materials, certifications, or access to a community or forum for networking and support.

If available, take advantage of any trial periods or sample content offered by the course. This allows you to gauge the course quality and ensure it meets your expectations.

Step 6: Find out about the course certification and recognition

Find out if the course offers a recognized certification upon completion, enhancing your professional credibility. Some certifications, such as CBIP or vendor-specific certificates, hold weight in the industry.

Other Platforms Offering Business Intelligence Courses

Paid platforms

Coursera and edX collaborate with universities and organizations to offer a wide range of BI courses. Courses often come with certifications and cover various BI tools and concepts.
LinkedIn Learning offers courses on BI tools, data visualization, and analytics. It provides a vast library of video courses taught by industry experts.
DataCamp specializes in data science and offers courses on BI tools, data analysis, and visualization. The platform provides interactive coding exercises for hands-on learning.
Kaggle is a platform for data science enthusiasts and professionals. It hosts datasets, competitions, and kernels (code notebooks) that cover BI concepts and tools.
Microsoft Learn provides free resources and tutorials for learning BI tools such as Power BI. It’s an excellent resource for those interested in Microsoft’s BI ecosystem.

Free resources

YouTube channels like “Tableau Software” and “Microsoft Power BI” offer official tutorials. You can find a wealth of free content covering BI basics, specific tool features, and real-world applications.
Specifically focused on web analytics, Google Analytics Academy and Khan Academy offer free introductory courses for beginners and advanced users.
Many data scientists and BI professionals share their knowledge on Medium. Search for articles and tutorials on BI, data visualization, and analytics.
Tableau Public hosts a gallery of visualizations created by the community. You can explore various projects to understand different ways data can be visualized using Tableau.
Microsoft’s Power BI community forums offer discussions, tutorials, and resources shared by the community.

Next Steps: Tips for Succeeding in Bi Courses and Entering the Field

For a successful journey in BI courses and a seamless entry into the field, consider these practical tips:

Consistent practice is key: BI is hands-on. Regularly practice what you learn, working on real-world projects if possible. The more you engage with the tools and concepts, the more confident and proficient you’ll become.
Networking matters: Engage with the BI community. Join forums, attend webinars, and connect with professionals in the field. Networking provides valuable insights while also opening doors to potential opportunities.
Leverage additional resources: Take advantage of supplementary resources beyond the course materials. Explore blogs, forums, and online communities to stay updated on industry trends and gain diverse perspectives.
Focus on building a strong foundation: Ensure you have a solid understanding of foundational concepts. BI is an evolving field, and a strong foundation will make it easier to adapt to new tools and technologies.
Stay updated and adapt: Stay updated on the latest trends, BI technologies and tools, and best practices. Be ready to adapt your skills to meet the changing demands of the industry.

By following these best practices, you’ll excel in your BI courses while positioning yourself for success as you apply for business intelligence jobs.