DP-600 Implementing Analytics Solutions Using Microsoft Fabric Questions and Answers

The results will form a hierarchy of folders for each partition key. - Yes

The resulting file partitions can be read in parallel across multiple nodes. - Yes

The resulting file partitions will use file compression. - No

Partitioning data by columns such as year, month, and day, as shown in the DataFrame write operation, organizes the output into a directory hierarchy that reflects the partitioning structure. This organization can improve the performance of read operations, as queries that filter by the partitioned columns can scan only the relevant directories. Moreover, partitioning facilitates parallelism because each partition can be processed independently across different nodes in a distributed system like Spark. However, the code snippet provided does not explicitly specify that file compression should be used, so we cannot assume that the output will be compressed without additional context.

References =

DataFrame write partitionBy

Apache Spark optimization with partitioning

We are designing a star schema for sales transactions. In a star schema:

Dimension tables contain descriptive attributes (e.g., Customer, Product, Date).

Fact tables contain measurable, quantitative data (e.g., SalesTransactionID, Quantity, UnitPrice).

Factless fact tables capture events without numeric measures.

Junk dimensions store miscellaneous low-cardinality attributes.

The requirement says dimension tables will use Type 2 Slowly Changing Dimensions (SCD) → so Customer and Date attributes belong to Dimension tables.

Field-by-field classification

CustomerCode

A business key (natural key) for the customer dimension.

Belongs in the Customer Dimension table.

Answer: Dimension.

CustomerName

A descriptive attribute of the customer.

Belongs in the Customer Dimension table.

Answer: Dimension.

SaleDate

A time attribute used for analysis.

Belongs in the Date Dimension table.

Answer: Dimension.

Final Answer:

CustomerCode → Dimension

CustomerName → Dimension

SaleDate → Dimension

Scenario:

Workspace1 contains: Pipeline1 and Lakehouse1.

A folder named Folder1 is created in Workspace1.

Lakehouse1 is moved into Folder1.

A deployment pipeline DeployPipeline1 deploys from Workspace1 → Workspace2.

Key Behavior:

Deployment pipelines in Microsoft Fabric maintain the folder hierarchy of items when deploying between workspaces.

If an item (Lakehouse1) is placed in a folder (Folder1), the same folder structure is replicated in the target workspace.

Items not placed in the folder (Pipeline1) remain at the root level.

Result in Workspace2 after deployment:

Pipeline1 remains at the root.

Lakehouse1 is placed inside Folder1.

Tabular Editor is an advanced tool for editing Tabular models outside of Power BI Desktop that allows you to script out changes and apply them across multiple columns or tables. To accomplish the task programmatically, you would:

Open the model in Tabular Editor.

Create an Advanced Script using C# to iterate over all tables and their respective columns.

Within the script, check if the column name ends with 'Key'.

For columns that meet the condition, set the properties accordingly: IsHidden = true, IsNullable = false, SummarizeBy = None, IsAvailableInMDX = false.

Additionally, mark the column as a key column.

Save the changes and deploy them back to the Fabric tenant.

Scenario Recap

You are working in Dataflow Gen2 inside a Fabric workspace.

Dataflow1 returns 500 rows.

You want to identify the minimum and maximum values for each column in the query results.

Key Concept: Column Profiling in Power Query (Fabric Dataflows)

In Power Query (used in Dataflows), profiling tools help you inspect and understand data. The following profiling features are available:

Column quality → Shows % valid, % error, % empty values.

Does not show min/max values.

Column distribution → Shows distinct and unique value distribution (frequency).

Does not show min/max values.

Column profile → Provides statistics for each column including:

Minimum value

Maximum value

Average, Standard deviation, Count, etc.

This is the feature required here.

Details pane → Displays the profiling results when profiling options (such as column profile) are enabled.

Correct Answer Breakdown

B. Show column profile in details pane

Must be selected to display min/max, averages, and distribution in the details pane.

C. Enable details pane

Required to actually display the profiling results. Without enabling the details pane, you cannot see column profiles.

E. Enable column profile

Enables the calculation of statistics (min, max, avg, etc.) for each column.

These three together give you the ability to see min and max values.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

A. Show column quality details

Shows only valid/empty/error statistics. No min/max.

D. Show column value distribution

Displays distinct/unique values and counts but does not calculate min/max.

Summary

To identify min and max values per column in a Fabric Dataflow, you must:

Enable the details pane

Enable column profile

Show column profile in details pane

Correct answers: B, C, E

References

Data profiling tools in Power Query

Column profiling options in Power Query

Fabric Dataflows Gen2 overview

To convert CSV files into the delta format with Z-Order optimization enabled, you should use the Optimize feature (D) from Lakehouse Explorer. This will allow you to optimize the file organization for the most efficient querying. References = The process for converting and optimizing file formats within a lakehouse is discussed in the lakehouse management documentation.

To ensure read-write access to DS1 is available by using the XMLA endpoint, the C1 settings (which refer to the capacity settings) should be modified first. XMLA endpoint configuration is a capacity feature, not specific to individual datasets or workspaces. References = The configuration of XMLA endpoints in Power BI capacities is detailed in the Power BI documentation on dataset management.

When creating a OneLake shortcut to Amazon S3, authentication uses the standard AWS access key ID + secret access key pair.

SAS token is for Azure Storage, not AWS.

Certificate thumbprint is not used for S3.

Access ID is incorrect naming; the correct term is access key ID.

Correct answers: B and D.

 First blank: CALCULATE

 Second blank: _LYSales

Step 1 – Defining the variable

We want to calculate sales for the same period in the prior year. The correct function here is CALCULATE, because it allows applying a filter context modification (with SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR).

So:

VAR _LYSales =

CALCULATE ( [Total Sales], SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR ( 'Orders'[Order Date] ) )

Step 2 – Returning the value

We then need to RETURN the value of the variable. From the dropdown options, we select _LYSales.

So:

EVALUATE

VAR _LYSales =

CALCULATE ( [Total Sales], SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR ( 'Orders'[Order Date] ) )

RETURN

ROW ( "LastYearSales", _LYSales )

Note: In XMLA DAX queries, you usually need a table expression, so wrapping with ROW or SELECTCOLUMNS is common, but based on the provided answer box, just returning _LYSales is sufficient here.

Final Answer:

First blank: CALCULATE

Second blank: _LYSales

Scenario:

Semantic model contains a measure: TotalSalesAmount.

This measure returns sales revenue translated into a selected currency.

Requirement: Format the result using the correct currency symbol dynamically.

Analysis:

Dynamic format string in DAX is specifically designed for applying formats (like currency symbols) dynamically based on slicers or calculation context.

WINDOW function → used for windowing calculations, not formatting.

Linguistic schema → used for Q&A natural language, not for formatting.

Field parameter → used to swap fields/measures dynamically, not for formatting.

Correct Answer:

A. A dynamic format string

Supports complex calculated columns (with aggregate functions, calculated tables, MDX hierarchies).

Minimizes page rendering times.

Step 1 – Choosing the Mode

Direct Lake → Best for near real-time queries, avoids duplication, but has limitations (e.g., some complex calculated columns, MDX user hierarchies are not fully supported).

DirectQuery → Sends queries to the source each time. It supports complex expressions but is slow (not optimal for minimizing page rendering times).

Import → Data is loaded into VertiPaq in-memory engine, supports full DAX capabilities, calculated tables, MDX hierarchies, and provides fastest query performance.

→ Correct choice: Import.

Step 2 – Choosing Query Caching

Capacity default → Relies on the workspace/capacity setting.

Off → Disables caching, which could slow down report rendering.

On → Ensures queries are cached for faster page rendering times.

→ Correct choice: On.

Final Answer:

Mode: Import

Query Caching: On

Comprehensive Detailed Explanation

We need to query a KQL database table named Readings to generate output that includes both the current reading and the previous reading values and datetime for each row.

Step 1: Understanding Requirements

The output table shows:

City, Area, MeterReading, Datetime

PrevMeterReading, PrevDatetime

The prev() function in KQL is used to access the value of a column from the previous row (based on order).

Step 2: Query Construction

We start with filtering:

Readings

| where City == "Copenhagen"

| sort by Datetime

To add columns that calculate the previous reading and previous datetime, we use extend:

| extend PrevMeterReading = prev(MeterReading), PrevDatetime = prev(Datetime)

extend creates new columns.

prev() pulls the previous row’s values.

Finally, we only want specific columns in the output. For this, we use project:

| project City, Area, MeterReading, Datetime, PrevMeterReading, PrevDatetime

Step 3: Completed Query

Readings

| where City == "Copenhagen"

| sort by Datetime

| extend PrevMeterReading = prev(MeterReading), PrevDatetime = prev(Datetime)

| project City, Area, MeterReading, Datetime, PrevMeterReading, PrevDatetime

Why This is Correct

extend adds calculated columns.

prev() gives access to the previous row.

project selects only the required columns.

This matches exactly the table shown in the question.

References

Kusto Query Language - extend operator

Kusto Query Language - project operator

prev() function in KQL

For the semantic model design required for the customer satisfaction report, the choices for data source authentication method and mode should be made based on security and performance considerations as per the case study provided.

Authentication method: The data should be accessed securely, and given that row-level security (RLS) is required for users executing T-SQL queries, you should use an authentication method that supports RLS. Service principal authentication is suitable for automated and secure access to the data, especially when the access needs to be controlled programmatically and is not tied to a specific user's credentials.

Mode: The report needs to show data as soon as it is updated in the data store, and it should only contain data from the current and previous year. DirectQuery mode allows for real-time reporting without importing data into the model, thus meeting the need for up-to-date data. It also allows for RLS to be implemented and enforced at the data source level, providing the necessary security measures.

Based on these considerations, the selections should be:

Authentication method: Service principal authentication

Mode: DirectQuery

A lakehouse (C) should be recommended for the AnalyticsPOC workspace. It combines the capabilities of a data warehouse with the flexibility of a data lake. A lakehouse supports semi-structured and unstructured data and allows for T-SQL and Python read access, fulfilling the technical requirements outlined for Litware. References = For further understanding, Microsoft's documentation on the lakehouse architecture provides insights into how it supports various data types and analytical operations.

To meet the technical requirement that data loading activities must ensure the raw and cleansed data is updated completely before populating the dimensional model, you would need a mechanism that allows for ordered execution. A pipeline in Microsoft Fabric with dependencies set between activities can ensure that activities are executed in a specific sequence. Once set up, the pipeline can be scheduled to run at the required intervals (hourly or daily depending on the data source).

For ingesting customer data into the data store in the AnalyticsPOC workspace, a dataflow (D) should be recommended. Dataflows are designed within the Power BI service to ingest, cleanse, transform, and load data into the Power BI environment. They allow for the low-code ingestion and transformation of data as needed by Litware's technical requirements. References = You can learn more about dataflows and their use in Power BI environments in Microsoft's Power BI documentation.

Comprehensive Detailed Explanation

When assigning permissions to roles in a Fabric workspace for analytics workloads, you must align permissions with the responsibilities and tools typically used by each persona:

1. Data Engineers

Their primary tasks include building and transforming data pipelines, as well as making datasets usable by others.

The appropriate permission is Build Reports on the default dataset, because this allows them to create and manage reports using the curated semantic model while preparing data for analysts and scientists.

2. Data Analysts

Analysts work heavily with Apache Spark for exploratory analysis, cleansing, and shaping data.

The correct permission is Read All Apache Spark, as this grants them the ability to query and analyze Spark-based data directly without elevated permissions that are unnecessary for their role.

3. Data Scientists

Data scientists often use SQL analytics endpoints to run queries, train models, and integrate data into machine learning workflows.

The correct permission is Read All SQL analytics endpoint data, since it enables direct programmatic access to the SQL endpoint, which is needed for advanced modeling and experimentation.

Summary of Selections:

DataEngineers → Build Reports on the default dataset

DataAnalysts → Read All Apache Spark

DataScientists → Read All SQL analytics endpoint data

References (Microsoft Fabric – DP-600 exam scope):

Workspace roles and permissions in Microsoft Fabric

SQL analytics endpoint in Fabric

Apache Spark in Microsoft Fabric

You should use CREATE VIEW to make the pricing group logic available for T-SQL queries.

The CASE statement should be used to determine the pricing group based on the list price.

The T-SQL statement should create a view that classifies products into pricing groups based on the list price. The CASE statement is the correct conditional logic to assign each product to the appropriate pricing group. This view will standardize the pricing group logic across different databases and semantic models.

Both a dataflow (A) and a Stored procedure activity in a pipeline (B) are capable of creating and populating a date dimension table. A dataflow can perform the transformation needed to create the date dimension, and it aligns with the preference for using low-code tools for data ingestion when possible. A Stored procedure could be written to generate the necessary date dimension data and executed within a pipeline, which also adheres to the technical requirements for the PoC.

The measure should use the AVERAGE function to calculate the average value.

It should reference the Response Value column from the 'Survey' table.

The 'Number of months' should be used to define the period for the average calculation.

To calculate the average overall satisfaction score using DAX, you would need to use the AVERAGE function on the response values related to satisfaction questions. The DATESINPERIOD function will help in calculating the rolling average over the last 12 months.

The PoC is planned to be completed using a Fabric trial capacity, which implies that users involved in the PoC should be able to try paid features. However, this should be limited to specific security groups involved in the PoC to prevent the entire organization from accessing these features before the trial is proven successful (A). The ability for users to create Fabric items should also be enabled for specific security groups to ensure that only the relevant team members participating in the PoC can create items in the Fabric environment (E).

Comprehensive Detailed Explanation

The question asks: Which syntax should you use in a Fabric notebook to access the Research division data for Productline1?

Key Background from the Case

In Productline1ws, a lakehouse named Lakehouse1 is created.

In Lakehouse1, a shortcut is created to storage1, named ResearchProduct.

Storage1 contains the Research division data for Productline1 in Delta format.

Requirement: All data in lakehouses must be presented as managed tables in Lakehouse explorer.

Analyzing the Syntax Options

Option A:

spark.sql("SELECT * FROM Lakehouse1.ResearchProduct")

This syntax directly queries the ResearchProduct shortcut within Lakehouse1 using Spark SQL.

Since the shortcut points to Delta data, Spark can directly query it.

This is the correct way to retrieve Productline1 data from Lakehouse1.

Option B:

spark.sql("SELECT * FROM Lakehouse1.productline1.ResearchProduct")

This introduces an extra schema-like path (productline1) that is not part of the shortcut name.

Incorrect, because the shortcut was created as ResearchProduct inside Lakehouse1, not under another schema.

Option C:

external_table('Tables/ResearchProduct')

external_table is not the correct way to access a Lakehouse shortcut.

Shortcuts in Lakehouses appear as tables and can be queried using Spark SQL directly.

Option D:

spark.sql("SELECT * FROM Lakehouse1.productline1.ResearchProduct")

Same issue as Option B, includes a schema path that does not exist.

Correct Choice

Since the shortcut to ResearchProduct was created inside Lakehouse1, and Spark SQL can query it directly, the correct syntax is:

spark.sql("SELECT * FROM Lakehouse1.ResearchProduct")

That matches Option A.

References

Microsoft Fabric Lakehouse – Shortcuts

Query data in a lakehouse using Spark SQL

Delta format support in Microsoft Fabric

You need to recommend which type of Fabric capacity SKU meets the data analytics requirements for the Research division.

Requirement: “The Research division workspaces must use a dedicated, on-demand capacity that has per-minute billing.”

Fabric capacity SKUs:

F (Fabric) = dedicated Fabric capacity, available on pay-as-you-go with per-minute billing.

P (Premium) and EM are Power BI capacities (not Fabric-native).

A refers to Azure Analysis Services capacity.

The only correct option is F SKU.

In Azure DevOps workspace (project) security settings, role assignments determine access levels for groups:

Viewer (equivalent to the Readers security group): Grants read-only access to work items, code, pipelines, and other artifacts. Ideal for review-only scenarios where users need to view but not edit content.

Contributor (equivalent to the Contributors security group): Allows full edit and contribute privileges, such as updating work items, code reviews, and pipeline runs. Suitable for active participation in reviews that may involve feedback or changes.

Based on the group names implying review-focused access, Viewer fits Group1 for passive observation, while Contributor fits Group2 for interactive review tasks. These align with default Azure DevOps permissions for secure, least-privilege access.

Comprehensive Detailed Explanation

From the case study:

Research division data for Productline2 is currently in CSV format in storage2.

Requirement: “All the Research division data in the lakehouses must be presented as managed tables in Lakehouse explorer.”

In Fabric lakehouses, managed tables are stored in Delta format inside the Tables folder.

Step 1: Reading the source

df = spark.read.format("csv") \

options(header="true", inferSchema="true") \

load("abfss://storage1.dfs.core.windows.net/files/productline2")

This correctly ingests the CSV source from ADLS Gen2.

Step 2: Writing to Lakehouse as a managed table

You must write the data in Delta format to ensure it is queryable and managed within the lakehouse.

The correct path is under Tables/, because this is where Fabric automatically manages Lakehouse managed tables.

The target table should be named productline2, so the correct path is:

df.write.mode("overwrite").format("delta").save("Tables/productline2")

Why not other options?

CSV or Parquet formats would not create a managed Lakehouse table; they would just create files.

Writing to productline2 directly (without Tables/) would store unmanaged files in the Lakehouse Files area, not managed tables.

Writing to Tables/research/productline2 adds an unnecessary subdirectory and is not the standard structure for managed tables.

Correct Final Code

df.write.mode("overwrite").format("delta").save("Tables/productline2")

References

Managed tables in Microsoft Fabric Lakehouse

Delta Lake support in Fabric

Spark write to Lakehouse

Requirement: “The number of rows added to the Orders table during refreshes must be minimized.”

The Orders table has a sequential OrderID.

To minimize refresh size, you must only import new rows, not the entire table.

This requires retrieving the maximum OrderID currently loaded, then only loading rows with a greater OrderID.

So, the correct solution is to use a pipeline (ADF) with a dataflow to retrieve the maximum OrderID.

Answer: C. an Azure Data Factory pipeline that executes a dataflow to retrieve the maximum value of the OrderID column in the destination lakehouse

 Calculation groups are a Tabular Object Model (TOM) feature.

 They cannot be authored in Power BI Desktop or the service.

 They are implemented using Tabular Editor.

You need to ensure that Contoso can use version control to meet the data analytics requirements and the general requirements.

Requirement: “All the semantic models and reports for the Research division must use version control that supports branching.”

Fabric supports Git integration (Azure Repos or GitHub) for semantic models and reports.

Storing in Data Lake Gen2 or OneDrive does not provide version control with branching.

The correct action is to integrate workspaces with a Git repository.

Answer: D. Modify the settings of the Research division workspaces to use an Azure Repos repository.

Comprehensive Detailed Explanation

The requirement is to logically group the Research division workspaces and support filtering in the OneLake data hub.

Why Domain?

Microsoft Fabric allows you to assign workspace domains (e.g., Finance, HR, Research).

This provides a logical grouping of workspaces within the organization.

Domains are the only supported way to enable filtering in OneLake data hub by department.

Capacity or tenant grouping would not allow filtering by department in OneLake.

Why OneLake data hub?

The OneLake data hub is the centralized interface to browse and discover data assets across the organization.

With workspace domains configured, users can filter directly in the OneLake data hub by domain (e.g., “Research”).

The Fabric Admin portal and Entra admin center are used for administration, not for workspace filtering in data discovery.

Correct Selection for the Hotspot

Grouping method: Domain

Tool: OneLake data hub

References

Workspace domains in Microsoft Fabric

Discover and filter data in OneLake data hub

Final Answer:

Grouping method = Domain

Tool = OneLake data hub

To view column information like the one shown in the exhibit in Power Query, you need to select the options that enable profiling and display quality and distribution details. These are: A. Enable column profile - This option turns on profiling for each column, showing statistics such as distinct and unique values. B. Show column quality details - It displays the column quality bar on top of each column showing the percentage of valid, error, and empty values. E. Show column value distribution - It enables the histogram display of value distribution for each column, which visualizes how often each value occurs.

We need to enable version control for a Fabric workspace (Workspace1) and ensure that Model1 (a semantic model) is added to an Azure DevOps repository.

Key facts:

Workspace1 is in Pro mode. To enable Git integration, the workspace must be assigned to a Fabric capacity.

Git integration steps in Fabric:

Assign the workspace to a Fabric capacity.

Connect the workspace to a Git provider (e.g., Azure DevOps or GitHub).

Sync the workspace with the repository (to push artifacts like semantic models).

Branch policies and deployment pipelines are not needed for simply enabling version control.

Correct Sequence:

Assign Workspace1 to a Fabric capacity.

Connect Workspace1 to a Git provider.

Sync Workspace1 with the repository.

Final Answer:

Step 1 → Assign Workspace1 to a Fabric capacity

Step 2 → Connect Workspace1 to a Git provider

Step 3 → Sync Workspace1 with the repository