Power BI Dataset Design Tools Explained

Multiple Power BI design tools are available to create reports and semantic data models, and three of the semantic data model design tools are shown here. The main data management components used in Power BI are semantic data models, also called datasets. A semantic data model provides a relational data structure with tables of rows and columns and relationships between tables that link data together.

Power BI uses an embedded SQL Server Analysis Services engine to work with datasets, which provides access to the Power Query M language for querying multiple data sources and Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) functions that are used to create calculated columns and measures often found in data models. Each of the dataset design tools supports the same Analysis Services data model and language features, making it easier to use one or more tools for collaboration and to migrate data models between services. Typically, developers can copy and paste Power Query scripts between the tools or use Power Query import/export features. The newer Power BI Project files use a storage format that allows developers using Visual Studio to access and modify the data model directly.