What is the purpose of data modeling in Power BI?

The purpose of data modeling in Power BI is to create relationships between different data sources and optimize data for analysis. This involves structuring the data in a way that makes it easier to analyze and visualize, allowing users to gain actionable insights. Data modeling establishes connections between different tables and datasets, which helps in building a cohesive view of the data. By defining relationships, users can perform complex calculations and create more informative reports and dashboards.

Moreover, optimizing data for analysis includes defining measures, creating calculated columns, and using data types effectively, which allows for efficient querying and better performance in visualizations. This foundational step is crucial for deriving meaningful insights from the data, making it a key aspect of effective data analysis using Power BI.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary function of data modeling; defining visual layout pertains to report design rather than data structure, directly inputting data into visuals relates to data entry rather than modeling, and regulating user access is related to security settings rather than the data organization itself.