Forum Discussion
Info on using Power BI desktop
Re 1 and 2, someone who has read the licence agreement will need to confirm, but my understanding is it is free without such restrictions. The answer to 3 tells you why. Power BI Desktop is designed to build reports. You CAN analyse and distribute them as PBIX Files - like Excel- but this is not the easiest or best solution. The best way to distribute is via Power BI Service - a cloud based server to securely share the workbooks. There is a free version but if you want well controlled and curated content, then the full Service costs about $10 per user per month. This is dirt cheap (compare with $1,600 for a Tableau licence). So MS is betting that if they make great software, help people access it by making it free to try and use, then soon enough you will buy a subscription for everyone. I am betting they are right.
Community ChampionRe 1 and 2, someone who has read the licence agreement will need to confirm, but my understanding is it is free without such restrictions. The answer to 3 tells you why. Power BI Desktop is designed to build reports. You CAN analyse and distribute them as PBIX Files - like Excel- but this is not the easiest or best solution. The best way to distribute is via Power BI Service - a cloud based server to securely share the workbooks. There is a free version but if you want well controlled and curated content, then the full Service costs about $10 per user per month. This is dirt cheap (compare with $1,600 for a Tableau licence). So MS is betting that if they make great software, help people access it by making it free to try and use, then soon enough you will buy a subscription for everyone. I am betting they are right.
Thank you so much MAllington!
I understand that i definitely need Power BI Service, I'm going to try it.