Power BI Report Builder Layout Flexibility

[Anonymous]

I was told that Report Builder "allows more flexibility for the report layout" compared to Power BI Desktop.  In a previous thread, I was wondering if I could replicate the below pivot table in Power BI.  Ultimately, it looks like I MIGHT be able to come close but not exactly.  I wasn't aware of Report Builder at that time so, I am asking the question again.  Also, while I (hopefully) have some people's attention, is there any documentation that spells out the features in Report Builder vs Power BI Desktop?  I have searched this forum and googled and only see conceptual differences but no actual details.  It would be helpful in determining whether or not it's worth pressing my I.T. department about getting Report Builder installed sooner than later.  Thank you in advance for any help that's provided.

[Anonymous]

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the reply. What you are seeing is an excerpt from an existing Excel report we created. There is interest in showing reports of this nature in Power BI.  The problem with replicating this design is the layout. Power BI seems to only accommodate the outline layout in the first series of fields (see column A in the pic above).  I need to be able to start another outline layout just as I do in column B above (and not necessarily in Column B; could be a different column further out to the right).

I understand the Report Builder offers more flexibility when it comes to layout, compared to Power BI desktop. Thoughts on if and how I can do this?

[TomMartens]

Hey @Anonymous ,

unfortunately I can't offer a detailed comparison between Paginated reports and Power BI reports.

If you want to recreate a pivot table you might consider using an Excel Workbook instead: https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/create-connected-pivottables-in-excel-for-the-web/

Hopefully, this provides a new perspective.

Regards,

Tom