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Paulx99's avatar
Paulx99
Kudo Kingpin
10 years ago

Exporting data from Power BI to Excel

Hi all   Does anybody know (as per the post below) when 'export data to CSV' was actually implemented in PBI Desktop ? I currently have PBI Desktop (Mar 2016) installed, but can't see it in there -...
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Paulx99's avatar
Paulx99
Kudo Kingpin
10 years ago

Hey Sean

 

I'm fully aware that a CTRL-A (Select All) will let me copy and paste from the data screen (albeit in Query Editor) into Excel. That is however, not not going to 'cut the mustrad' for me ! What end's up being pasted into Excel is messy to say the least and requires reformatting. For a tool as sophisticated as PBI Desktop, it's almost embarrassing that this is currently the only way to 'export' data from the Data View in PBI Desktop to Excel.

 

As I said in my original post on this issue last night, I find it incredible that there is no Export option in the File menu in PBI Desktop to export data from the Data View to Excel (.xlsx). It should be a two way street - if we can import Excel data into PBI Desktop, we should be able to export PBI Desktop data back to Excel.

 

Glad you agree with me on this one !

 

Paul

 

 

Sean's avatar
Sean
Community Champion
10 years ago

Yes I agree 100%!

 

We need a 1-click Export the Data View grid to Excel

 

Would be nice if the calculated columns are included as well but don't know if that would be feasible

(maybe only as values not formulas)

 

EDIT: We have to give credit to the PBI team though they have been working hard improving and adding new features all the time

 

Here's a link to one of my ideas... If anyone likes it please vote

https://ideas.powerbi.com/forums/265200-power-bi-ideas/suggestions/9207006-matrix-collapse-expand-buttons

  • Paulx99's avatar
    Paulx99
    Kudo Kingpin
    10 years ago

    Your idea of a '1-click Export the Data View grid to Excel is a good one and that would do the job. I would definately want calculated columns to be a part of any export to Excel.

     

    As for the Power BI team, there is no doubt that what has been achieved with this product to date is truly amazing and I agree - full credit to them for that. 

     

    That said, the deeper I'm getting into this product (PBI Desktop), the more I'm I'm noticing that from a data analytics point of view it appears to be lacking somewhat. For example, in a couple of DA (data analytics) products I've used, there is an Export command, where you can export any data view (including one that contains both physical and calculated fields) to Excel (xlsx or xls), any type of delimited file, Access, Text, or XML - there are many others as well.

     

    If PBI Desktop is just meant to be a BI product, I can sort of see why something like the exporting of a data view in PBI Desktop would not be a top priority. If on the other hand, Power BI Desktop is meant to be both a BI and DA product, that's exactly why I'm scratching my head wondering why I can't export the Data view to Excel (including calculated fields) ! The top destination for DA outputs (exceptions) from DA software is Excel.

     

    Most BI products I've seen are very strong on visualisations, but not so strong on data analytics capabilities, while most DA products I've seen are obviously very strong on data analytics capabilities, but not so strong on visualisations. What I've seen so far with PBI Desktop would appear to confirm this, (for me anyway).

     

    PS: I will vote for your idea !

    • kcantor's avatar
      kcantor
      Community Champion
      10 years ago

      Paulx99

      First off, I agree, exporting to excel would be an ideal solution for several reports that I have where the PTB want more details. In fact, I would prefer to bypass Excel and export directly into PowerPivot as the engine is much more robust and capable. However, I have heard (can't remember the source) that PowerPivot and PowerBI were supposed to be the souped up version of Excel designed to replace other software programs and the inevitable "Export to Excel" button.  The argument was presented that if all those other software programs were the end all to DA, why did they need to export to Excel? So, (again, can't remember the source) Microsoft created PowerPivot and PowerBI.

      Question: If you can build reports and dashboards using DAX in PowerBI, and you build the data model in Query Editor (or Power Query) What would you do with the data you export that you cannot do within the software?

      For me, it is a large matrix showing more information than one screen can handle . . . especially for printing purposes.