Connect Data Sources
Import from files, databases, cloud services and Microsoft platforms
Analytics & Data
Microsoft Power BI
Turning scattered business data into reports people can explore is the job Microsoft Power BI handles. It is particularly effective for organizations already working in Excel, Azure and Microsoft 365.
Runs on
Web
Windows
Android
iOS
Available on
Web
App Store
Play Store
Microsoft Store
Built for
Small Business
Enterprise
Marketing
Education
Overview
What is Microsoft Power BI?
From raw data to a governed model
Power BI Desktop provides a serious modelling workspace rather than a simple chart builder. Power Query handles cleanup, relationships connect tables, and DAX supports reusable calculations. The learning curve rises quickly once a model moves beyond basic spreadsheets, but that depth lets analysts build reports that answer follow-up questions without creating a new export each time.
- Free: Build locally in Power BI Desktop.
- Pro: Publish, share and collaborate per user.
- Premium options: Add capacity, scale and advanced management.
Where deployment gets complicated
The hosted service covers scheduled refreshes, workspaces, apps, permissions and browser viewing. Sharing is where licensing becomes less friendly: authors and viewers often need paid access unless suitable capacity covers consumption. Windows remains the preferred authoring environment, while mobile apps are designed mainly for viewing and interaction.
Capabilities
Key features
Power Query Editor
Clean, reshape and combine data through repeatable transformation steps
Build Semantic Models
Define relationships, measures, hierarchies and row-level security
DAX Calculations
Create calculated measures for complex business logic and time analysis
Publish Interactive Reports
Distribute filterable dashboards through workspaces and organizational apps
Monitor Data Refreshes
Schedule updates and use gateways for on-premises sources
Keep exploring
Teams also considered
Tableau turns connected business data into interactive visual analysis and is especially good at exploratory dashboards that analysts can publish for wider teams.
Looker is a business intelligence platform for modeling governed metrics on top of SQL warehouses. It is strongest when a data team needs one reusable semantic layer behind self-service reporting and customer-facing analytics.
Data teams and growing companies reach for Metabase when colleagues need direct, approachable access to database reporting. It pairs a friendly visual query builder with enough SQL control for analysts to build useful internal dashboards quickly.
Still weighing your options?
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