Quick Answer
The answer is a disconnected date table. When your Power BI slicer is showing all years from 2000 to 2030 even without data, the most likely cause is that the year field used in the slicer comes from a table that has no active relationship to your fact table. Without a proper relationship filtering the slicer values, Power BI displays every distinct value in that field, regardless of whether corresponding data exists in your measures or visuals. On the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst PL-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of data modeling and relationship design—a common trap is assuming a date table is automatically connected, when in reality it may be orphaned. The fix is to ensure your date table is properly related to the fact table, often using a one-to-many relationship on a date key. Memory tip: if your slicer shows “ghost years,” check your relationship lines—no line means no filter.
This PL-300 practice question tests your understanding of visualize and analyze the data. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
You have a Power BI report that uses a slicer to filter data by year. You want the slicer to show only years that have data, but currently it shows all years from 2000 to 2030. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
The slicer is using a calculated column.
Why wrong: Calculated columns work the same as regular columns.
The year field is from a disconnected table.
A disconnected table will show all values regardless of data.
The slicer is set to 'Single select' mode.
Why wrong: Single select mode doesn't affect which items are shown.
The data model uses a star schema.
Why wrong: Star schema is good practice; the issue is lack of relationship.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The year field is from a disconnected table.
If the slicer field is from a disconnected date table or the relationship is not filtering correctly, the slicer shows all values. The solution is to use a date table related to the fact table.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The slicer is using a calculated column.
Why it's wrong here
Calculated columns work the same as regular columns.
The year field is from a disconnected table.
Why this is correct
A disconnected table will show all values regardless of data.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The slicer is set to 'Single select' mode.
Why it's wrong here
Single select mode doesn't affect which items are shown.
The data model uses a star schema.
Why it's wrong here
Star schema is good practice; the issue is lack of relationship.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Single select mode doesn't affect which items are shown.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Identify which PL-300 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Visualize and analyze the data — This question tests Visualize and analyze the data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The year field is from a disconnected table. — If the slicer field is from a disconnected date table or the relationship is not filtering correctly, the slicer shows all values. The solution is to use a date table related to the fact table.
Identify which PL-300 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This PL-300 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PL-300 exam.
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