Updated: July 15, 2020 (November 7, 2016)

Power BI Desktop

Andrew analyzes and writes about Microsoft's data management, business intelligence, and machine learning solutions, as well as aspects of licensing... more

Source: Microsoft

Power BI Desktop is a stand-alone desktop report design tool with data query, transformation, and design canvas, and it is positioned to replace Excel as Microsoft’s preferred report design tool. The product is a free-to-download (32-bit and 64-bit) Windows desktop application that creates reports with interactive tables, charts (including animated scatter plots), two-dimensional maps, and dashboards that combine several of these elements. Unlike other template formats, the Power BI Desktop format also offers “custom visual” tools so that Microsoft and third-party developers can define new types of report elements, such as three-dimensional maps.

To use Power BI Desktop, users select one or more data sources (top menu) and transform the data by establishing relationships between tables, creating new columns and measures, and specifying filters on the data. Power BI Desktop inherits Excel’s data query and integration (Power Query) and data analysis (Power Pivot) and visualization (Power View and Power Map) features, and designers familiar with Excel features will quickly be proficient in Power BI Desktop.

Atlas Members have full access

Get access to this and thousands of other unbiased analyses, roadmaps, decision kits, infographics, reference guides, and more, all included with membership. Comprehensive access to the most in-depth and unbiased expertise for Microsoft enterprise decision-making is waiting.

Membership Options

Already have an account? Login Now