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Create your Best Report with Power BI and Win

Headshot of article author The Power BI Team

Creating a great report is both an art and a science. There’s the data, of course — the raw numbers and charts and feeds that fuel your work. But it’s the nuanced art of finding the right way to deliver the right insights that truly lets your data reach its full potential. As a data analyst you walk the line between art and science every day, balancing complete and honest representation with engaging storytelling and an appreciation for minimalism.

The Microsoft Power BI team invites you to show off your most creative and informative report for a chance to win up to $5,000. Whether your report is designed to make us laugh, or gasp, or reach for the mouse to explore more, we can’t wait to see your entry. Read on for all the details!

What makes a Best Report?

Create a Power BI Desktop report that tells a story about your data with originality and creativity as well as effectively uses Power BI in the process.

How do I enter the Best Report Contest?

The contest is open to submissions from January 7 – 29, 2016, and you can enter using these instructions and entry form. Your submission must include:

  1. A Power BI Desktop file (.PBIX) with your best report that you have permission to share publicly. Your file should be less than 50 MB.
  2. A 150-word description, which will be displayed with your report.
  3. A thumbnail image that will accompany your report.
  4. A short video (1- 3 minutes) that narrates the insights contained in your report.

Make sure you review and understand all the contest rules here.

How do I win?

Microsoft will review all eligible entries and select the 10 finalists that best showcase both creativity and the capabilities of Power BI. On February 3, 2016, the reports and videos for these 10 finalists will be posted on our Power BI Community website. The winning entry will be the one with the most votes from Power BI community members by February 14, 2016.

How you encourage those votes is up to you! Spread the word on social media networks, tell your colleagues, write about it on your blog – be creative and let the Power BI community know that they should check out your best report and vote for it.

What is the prize for the winner?

The winner of the Best Report Contest will win $5,000 and the runner up will receive $2,500, both courtesy of Microsoft and Power BI. The winning entry will be announced on the Power BI blog by February 17.

For more information, check out our full contest rules. When you’re ready to enter, use the Best Report Contest instructions and entry form to submit your files, and keep an eye on the Community website on February 3 to start voting!

Still have questions? Ask them on our community forum.