Why all data professionals should attend Microsoft's Fabric Analyst in a Day workshop

By Elizabeth Wentworth 

As a Microsoft Partner, Interloop had the privilege to host our first Fabric Analyst in a Day workshop this past quarter! Imagine consolidating all your data into a single source of truth and turning complexity into clarity—that’s exactly what this intermediate-level training delivered. Designed for Power BI Data Analysts with experience on Power BI but new to Microsoft Fabric, the session brought together professionals eager to explore Fabric’s powerful capabilities. Watching curiosity turn into confidence as participants built reports and unlocked insights was inspiring. This wasn’t just a training; it was a deep dive into how Microsoft Fabric can unify data, streamline workflows, and empower organizations to make smarter, faster decisions. 

What is Microsoft Fabric and Why Does It Matter? 

Microsoft Fabric is an end-to-end analytics platform designed to unify your data and analytics in one place. Instead of juggling multiple tools and disconnected data sources, Fabric brings everything together—data ingestion, transformation, storage, and visualization—into a single, integrated experience. 

Key Features We Explored 

During the workshop, we introduced participants to Shortcuts, Dataflows Gen2, and Pipelines, which make it easier to connect and transform data from various sources. These features allow analysts to streamline workflows and reduce complexity, ensuring data is always up-to-date and ready for analysis. 

Power BI Integration 

One of the most exciting aspects of Fabric is its seamless integration with Power BI. Fabric seamlessly integrates with Power BI, enabling analysts to build rich, interactive reports directly on top of lakehouses using Direct Lake mode for real-time analytics without manual refreshes. This combination accelerates decision-making and ensures insights are always current. 

How Does the Workshop Work? 

The Fabric Analyst in a Day workshop is designed to give data professionals a hands-on, guided experience with Microsoft Fabric—without overwhelming them with technical complexity. Rather than just listening to theory, attendees spend most of the day working through guided labs that simulate real-world scenarios. These labs walk participants through the entire analytics lifecycle—from connecting and ingesting data to transforming it and building interactive Power BI reports—all within Fabric’s integrated environment. 

Why Labs Matter 

The labs are where learning truly happens. They allow participants to explore Fabric’s features like Shortcuts, Dataflows Gen2, and Pipelines in a practical, step-by-step way. By the end of the day, attendees not only understand the concepts but have applied them, leaving with confidence in how Fabric can streamline workflows and deliver meaningful insights. 

Lab Topics Covered: 

• Lab 1 – Power BI Desktop 

Set up Power BI Desktop in a lab environment, analyze reports, and review Power Queries to understand data sources. 

• Lab 2 – Fabric Workspace 

Create a Fabric workspace and build a Lakehouse for centralized data storage. 

• Lab 3 – Lakehouse Shortcuts 

Connect to ADLS Gen2 using Shortcuts, create Visual Queries, and ingest data into a Lakehouse. 

• Lab 4 – Dataflows Gen2 

Ingest data from multiple sources—SharePoint, Snowflake, and Dataverse—into a Lakehouse using Dataflows Gen2. 

• Lab 5 – Data Pipelines 

Configure scheduled refreshes for Dataflows, create Data Pipelines, and automate refresh schedules for streamlined workflows. 

• Lab 6 – Data Engineering 

Build SQL views and create semantic models to prepare data for reporting. 

• Lab 7 – Power BI Experience 

Auto-generate reports, design custom reports from scratch, connect Power BI Desktop to semantic models, and experience Direct Lake mode for real-time data refresh. 

Why Should Companies Care? 

Data is the backbone of every modern business decision—but fragmented systems and manual processes slow down insights and increase risk. Microsoft Fabric changes that by creating a single, integrated analytics platform that unifies data and streamlines workflows. For companies, this means faster access to accurate information, improved collaboration, and the ability to make decisions with confidence. 

The Value It Delivers 

By adopting Fabric, organizations can: 

• Boost Efficiency: Reduce time spent managing multiple tools and data silos. 

• Improve Accuracy: Work from a single source of truth, minimizing errors and inconsistencies. 

• Accelerate Insights: Enable real-time reporting and analytics with Power BI integration. 

• Drive Impact: Turn raw data into actionable insights that support strategic goals. 

• Cost-Effective Learning: The Fabric Analyst in a Day workshop is completely free, making it an accessible way for teams to gain hands-on experience without budget constraints. 

The Risk of Standing Still 

Companies that delay modernizing their analytics stack risk falling behind competitors who are leveraging unified platforms for speed and agility. Manual processes and disconnected systems lead to inefficiencies, missed opportunities, and higher operational costs. Fabric offers a clear path forward—one that positions businesses to thrive in a data-driven world. 

Why It’s Valuable 

This workshop isn’t just about learning features—it’s about understanding how Fabric can solve real business challenges. By the end of the day, attendees see how Fabric simplifies analytics, reduces manual effort, and accelerates insights. It’s a practical, high-level introduction that leaves participants confident in the platform’s potential, while recognizing that expert guidance—like Interloop’s—makes implementation seamless and impactful. 

Conclusion 

The Fabric Analyst in a Day workshop was an exciting way to bring together a diverse group of talented professionals—Digital Leads, Solution Architects, Developers, Analysts, and Directors—all eager for hands-on learning with Fabric. Watching participants collaborate in the labs and explore how Microsoft Fabric can transform their analytics workflows was inspiring. It gave participants and facilitators the chance to dive deeper into Fabric and see firsthand how these tools solve real business challenges. 

If your organization is looking to unify data and accelerate decision-making, Microsoft Fabric is a game-changer—and Interloop is here to help you make the most of it. 

Next Steps 

Want to join us for the next Fabric Analyst in a Day workshop? Check out our Events Page to stay updated on upcoming sessions and webinars—we’d love to see you there! 

Have questions or want to explore how Fabric can fit into your organization? Contact Interloop directly and let’s start the conversation!