[Ep.5] PHASE 2: Modeling in Power BI
- Puii Duangtip
- Aug 18, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 1, 2025
Connecting the Dots.
The data was cleaned. Now it was time to bring SQL outputs into Power BI, where they could be modeled, measured, and visualized.
Export & Connect
I had two options:
Export each cleaned table from SQL as a .csv and import manually
Or connect directly from MySQL to Power BI for faster refresh and control
I chose direct connection — here’s how I set it up.
1. Open Power BI — Start with Blank report
Start with a blank report
2. Get Data from SQL platform
Go to the Home tab
Click "Get Data" → More
In the search bar, select your SQL platform (Mine was MySQL Database)
3. Enter Server & Database Info
You’ll be prompted to enter:
Server name
Database name
Every SQL platform has its own setup.
If you're using MySQL, like I did, here’s how to find your server and database:
Find Info from MySQL Workbench (GUI)
1. Open MySQL Workbench
2. On the home screen, find your saved connection
Example: Local instance MySQL80
3. Click the screwdriver icon next to +
4. You’ll see something like:
How to Find Your Database Name:
1. After connecting, open a query tab
2. Run this:
SHOW DATABASES;3. Pick the one that stores your cleaned tables
Example: marketing_analytics_practice
If you’re not using MySQL, no worries — ask your version of ChatGPT how to locate your server and database on your platform.
Good stories live in the connections. In data, it’s the same. Customers rarely speak to transactions. Campaigns often ignore customers.
Next: [Ep 6] PHASE 3 — Creating Relationships, That’s when the pieces finally wire together — and the data begins to speak.
💡 Part of my Data × Design Series — follow the journey from raw interview challenge to polished dashboards.