RADACAD Data Analytics Updates 8th Oct 2025

Power BI Performance Tip Query Folding in Power Query

If the time to load data into Power BI (refresh) takes long, it might be due to Query folding not happening. Query Folding is an important concept, especially when it relates to Power BI solution performance. In this video, you will learn what Query Folding is, when you can see it happen, and what the impacts of it are for the performance of your Power BI or Microsoft Fabric solution.

Power BI Dashboard VS Report Differences and Scenarios

You can deliver Power BI content to users in multiple ways; two of these methods are Power BI Dashboard and Power BI Report. Although these two might look similar, they have important differences which is useful for different scenarios in real-world implementation. In this video, you will learn the differences between these two items through demonstrations and discover the best scenario for using each.

Power BI Live Connection Demystified

A Live connection is one of the five types of connections when you build a solution in Power BI. Live connection has some major differences with Import Data and also with DirectQuery, which makes it really important for enterprise and team development usage of Power BI. In this video, you will learn through a demo what a Live connection is and how it differs from other types of connections, as well as the scenarios in which it can be used for the real-world implementation of Power BI and Microsoft Fabric.

In-Person Fabric and Power BI Courses: The World Tour 2025:

We have announced the dates and cities for the in-person RADACAD courses in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Last year, the tour was in 17 cities, and we got fantastic feedback from attendees.
This year's tour includes Power BI and Fabric training, and we look forward to seeing you there.

Seats are limited. We want you to take advantage of this opportunity to learn the cutting-edge technologies of Microsoft Power BI and Fabric and use them to step up your career ladder.
Reza developed the training content for courses in the Rookie to Rock Star format (similar to our popular Power BI courses). These are in-person training sessions.
We are looking forward to welcoming you all to this course.

Course: Microsoft Fabric; From Rookie to Rock Star (3-days)

New York, Nov 10-12, (only a few seats remained)
Auckland, Dec 8-10
Sydney, Dec 15-17

Here are some feedback from this round of training;

Enthusiastic and intense, it’s been an incredible three days, covering all important aspects of Data engineering, Data warehousing, Integration, Data governance, and Fabric best practices. From hands-on lab exercises to ad hoc discussions, we’ve dived deep and explored every facet of the Fabric landscape.
The course was very helpful to deepen more into the Power BI capabilities and its use cases, seeing different solution alternatives, and strengthen the knowledge we already have in some topics.
I liked the training a lot. It was a very interactive session - good level of overview around PowerBI Architectures, mixed with right level of deeper dives. Reza was always open and approachable to adjust the agenda and answering questions relevant to the audience. I enjoyed switching between presentation and Live-demos, which made the content easy to understand and remember.
Reza is very knowledgeable in MS tech stack and some of the questions he answered went beyond just the fabric usage in a more holistic and practical view from his experiences. It was one of the best engaging trainings I have attended in years and would definitely recommend anyone looking to learn Fabric architecture and workloads to attend this brilliantly designed course.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Microsoft Fabric training. The content was well-structured and relevant, providing a deep dive into essential topics. Reza was an outstanding trainer, whose enthusiasm and deep knowledge made the learning process both effective and enjoyable. His practical examples and hands-on approach greatly aided in understanding the complexities of Fabric. I leave this course better equipped and confident in applying these new skills in my work. Highly recommend!
I really enjoyed the training. I learned a lot. Reza has the ability to convey information well and takes the time for questions.
The course was quite informative and filled up gaps in understanding MS Fabric platform. Now we have clearer strategy what is the best way to use the platform.
Thank you! Great job!

A list of all upcoming events is available here.

Here are some photos from last year's training tour;

Power BI & Fabric Summit 2026: Sessions and speakers announced

The 6th edition of Power BI and Microsoft Fabric Summit this year will happen from the 23rd to the 27th of February 2026. Like the previous years, this is going to be a fully virtual summit with the ticket price set at a level that is affordable for all to attend.
This year, we will have more than 140 sessions from more than 140 speakers worldwide. The sessions and speakers will be announced in the next few weeks. The summit will be in five consecutive days at multiple time zones, bringing the world-class content and learning of Microsoft Fabric and Power BI to your desk at the office and at home.

Event's website:
https://globalpowerbisummit.com/

Difinity Conference, Agenda is announced, Australia and New Zealand

Difinity is the largest Microsoft Data, AI, Power BI, and Fabric Conference in New Zealand and Australia, focusing on Microsoft Fabric and Data and AI technologies of Microsoft. IT Decision Makers, Developers, Business Analysts, IT Professionals, Data Engineers, Data modelers, ETL developers, Data Architects, BI Managers, BI Professionals, Database Administrators, Architects, Digital & Big Data business leaders, and Consultants will gather for two consecutive days of learning.

The dates have changed for the three cities to later this year

Auckland: https://difinity.co.nz/
Sydney: https://difinitysydney.com
Melbourne: https://difinitymelbourne.com

In Loving Memory of Leila Etaati

Leila Etaati is a name that RADACAD started, grew, and matured with it. She was the heart and brain of RADACAD. It is with great sadness that she passed away on the morning of 31st of December 2023 after 11 months of nonstop fight with progressive head and neck cancer. Leila was co-founder and co-director of RADACAD, Power BI & Fabric Summit, Difinity conference, Data Insight Summit, SQL Saturday Auckland, Power BI and Analytics user group in Auckland, and Global AI BootCamp in Auckland.
Some of the videos and articles published in 2023 were done while Leila was either at the hospital or going through difficult treatment plans. Nothing has ever stopped Leila from doing her work, which she loved and wanted to help community at the same time.
The past few months were split into two parts: the part that she was battling deadly cancer with all her might, I have been with her at the hospital, and we never really had much chance to think about work and our newsletter. And after her passing, which was not less difficult for me to keep going.
I may write about her difficult path in the last few months of her life at some stage, it is the most unbelievable and sad story, but also shows how strong Leila was facing all of those in a situation that everyone else would have lost hope.
I have written a tribute to her which is also mentioned in her Eulogy, which you can read here.
Below is also the video of her funeral. Leila is always with RADACAD.

Reza