Today automation testing is the best way to perform the tests for the accuracy of the software. The testing is important to know the actionable insights of the software through which we can achieve better results. The power BI testing process is among those that verify the data staging, ETL processes, and BI reports, etc. And makes sure the implementation of the process is well. BI also helps to collect, cleanse, analyze, combine, and share data across users to drive business growth.
Power Automate visual is the latest trend in the Power BI reports visualization. Using this trend we can automate the export and allocation of Power BI reports in different formats and scenarios.
Hence, Power BI testing with automation is a comprehensive solution for MS Power BI services. Let us learn the techniques and tools that help in automating Power BI testing in this blog post.
Power BI Testing
There are different categories of Power BI testing that make it more powerful to automate the processes. Here we will discuss the Power BI Testing categories through which we can validate tests with correctness.
Functional Testing
This type of Power BI testing helps us when we develop a new dashboard or report for other’s consumption. Hence, it becomes necessary to execute few checks to validate the data and design for report validation. Here it includes the following:-
- Checking the dashboard design
- Prompts check
- Report data accuracy checking
- Drilldown report checking
- Report performance checks
- Browser checking
- Automation of functional testing with BI validator.
All these checks and tests are required to execute to validate the functions of BI reports under the Power BI testing strategy. These checks serve various purposes in verifying the data for validation and make proper reports.
ADHOC Report Testing
There are some BI tools like OBIEE and Business Objects that empower business users to build their own reports. This doesn’t require the need of any developer. Moreover, these BI tools help to produce data queries automatically for the reports. These are based on the various dimensions of the physical data model. Furthermore, business users can select their choice of measures and dimension attributes to come up with their own reports. From a Power BI testing perspective, this section presents many challenges. Besides, this includes the huge integration of measures, dimensions, etc that makes it impossible for manual testing.
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This report testing area includes the following things to check.:-
- Subject area design check
- Mapping check
- Joins checking
- Automation of the Adhoc report testing with BI validator.
Regression Testing
BI tools like Power BI make it easy to build reports by automatically producing the database queries dynamically. These are mainly based on the BI models that are predefined. The challenge raises through regression testing because any little modification to the BI model can well impact the BI reports.
This testing is the baseline and helps to compare PBI reports, filters, visuals, datasets, using the BI validator’s Power BI testing plan. Moreover, Regression testing is useful for carrying out these things.
- Report Data testing
- Format of Report
- Regression testing of prompts
- Report database query
- Performance of report
- Security testing and
- Automating the Reg Testing with BI validator
Visual Data validation
Here, you can easily map and compare visual data with database SQL query data. This is useful for conducting end-to-end Power BI testing BI reports. Besides, this brings in trust on the report data for the users.
BI Security Testing
Similar to web apps, BI apps also include authentication and authorization of security needs. Many PBI apps integrate or embed with other transactional apps. Hence, it becomes important to test the security of BI apps similar to the web apps.
In this testing, the following reports and methods to be followed.:-
Report access security where it needs to verify the access of any report by the individuals.
Data security is important where the report will be different for different people running the report.
Single sign-on security where a single person is authorized to get access to reports within a large enterprise.
Moreover, integrated security of Power BI reports is also important where BI apps integrate with other transactional systems. So, a common authentication should be in use to protect the reports from malpractices. Hence, this type of Power BI testing is very important to get rid of the obstacles.
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Stress testing
This is similar to web app testing where the objective is to simulate the concurrent users from accessing reports. Here, the user has to understand the obstacles within the system.
Moreover, this type of Power BI testing is conducted for the following things.
Simulating the user behavior to identify the commonly used reports for testing by the user.
Also, to simulate the concurrent user load where each user picks a different prompt value for the execution of the same report. Moreover, there may be different user logins for the same report.
BI cache- Here, most BI tools offer support to the caching mechanism which helps to enhance the performance of the reports. But while conducting a stress test, the cache should be turned off for understanding the system issues. Moreover, it is to keep in mind while conducting the stress testing under the Power BI testing process. It includes a large set of reports, a large pool of user logins, and prompt values to be randomized.
Later, measurements of stress testing and the use of the validator make the testing successful.
One thing to be noted here that why we are using the BI validator everywhere in this testing. This is because it automates the testing of Power BI reports, datasets, visuals, and other related pages.
Other than the above, there are two other methods where the BI validator offers its support.
They are-
RLS- Row Level Security
The BI validator also supports the Row Level Security testing system in the existing time. Here it applies different users to reports and compares data.
Enterprise-level alliance
The alliance between the different teams helps to share the test plans and results of tests among them. Also, it becomes easier to schedule tests and share the output with all members through email.
Report data comparison with UI
In the Power BI testing, the BI validator can integrate with JS API and PBI Rest API to automate the BI testing. Here it uses the PBI metadata for eliminating the need for custom coding.
Moreover, the report Ui and data testing could be easier now. We can baseline and compare the various reports to automatically locate the data and UI distinctions.
Also, the validator automatically recovers the filters and parameters of PBI to make the test easier. It tests the values appearing in the filter and to apply them before running the reports.
Performing complete Power BI testing
The use of the BI validator is amazing in the PBI testing. It helps in comparing the report data with the database query results, Hence, this allows users to conduct end-to-end Power BI testing of reports and dashboards.
Moreover, this includes the connection of ODBC enabled data source to PBI visual data. This is useful to compare the reports to SQL query results while testing.
Another thing is that conducting BI tool migration testing. Here the validator helps to differentiate the data between the BI reports and other BI tools as well.
Hence, this is all about the automation of the Power BI testing and its uses. Now we will look into the Bi testing process in the simple steps which as follows.:-
BI testing strategy
The strategy of testing the BI platform should be the most accurate one to get the desired results. Hence, the sequence of BI testing is as follows.
Checking the data source
The basic need for testing the BI platform is the checking of source data. We know that generally, business data doesn’t come from a single source and not even in a single format. It comes in different ways with different types of formats. So, we have to check the source data and the data type matches with each other or not. Hence, basic validation has to do here. Besides, this is an Extract state within the “ETL” process.
For example, if we get some details regarding a student with his score in CGPA. We should compare the source data and the informed data to meet the accuracy for further processing.
Checking the data transformation
This is the place where data is processed into the destination information of the business. Here, the data from the source and the target data should match with each other.
Moreover, the ACID properties of source and target should be validated.
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Checking the data loading
Here it needs to check whether the data scripts loads into the testing area properly. Moreover, the data storage system needs validation for data performance and scalability. Because performance testing is the most critical state where the chances of getting better results exist.
Also, the scalability of data is necessary to test that it compensates with the growing business needs. Moreover, the checking helps whether these data volumes can be handled well or not.
Power BI report testing
This is the final stage of Power BI testing where reports are tested for validation. This is what in actual the BI. If the earlier layers got any malfunction then the final reports will not be in the correct state. Hence, it needs end-to-end testing of reports produced and their applicability to the business.
Furthermore, the Power BI testing strategy includes the major parameters- planning, strategy, design, execution, defect reporting, and closure. These parameters only help in the smooth testing process of BI apps. Moreover, the latest edition of the PBI is the Power Automate. Using this platform you can automate apps, services, workflows, etc easily.
Final Notes
Testing of any application/software is necessary to check its accuracy in performance and to get the best output. It could be the predicted one also that many business users forecast. Business Intelligence is an integral part of many giant business sectors like education, entertainment, E-commerce, etc. So, it is the most useful IT solution for every business in this globe to get better utilization of the data.
I hope this blog has given you the most useful information regarding the Power BI testing strategy and its necessity. Along with that, you came to know about the BI testing parameters in brief. If you are searching for more detailed info in this regard, then get into the Power BI Online Training program with ITGuru. Through this learning, you can enhance your BI skills in a professional way in real-time.