Skip to main content
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

The Power BI Data Visualization World Championships is back! Get ahead of the game and start preparing now! Learn more

Reply
Anonymous
Not applicable

What is the difference between .pbix and .pbit ?

Hello

 

What is the difference between .pbix and .pbit?

 

Which should I chose to save a data manipulation workflow that could be applied to any source file?

 

Does .pbix always saves the source file?

 

Thanks!

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION
v-alq-msft
Community Support
Community Support

Hi, @Anonymous 

 

Based on your questions, here are the differences between them. Generally speaking, the size of PBIX file is much more larger than the size of PBIT file. Actually, what is not included in PBIT files is the report's data. The PBIT file keeps your report structure and contains ‘DataModelSchema File’ instead of ‘‘DataModel File’’. However, If you choose import mode, the PBIX file stores all imported data from data sources and the report structure. So when you share the PBIX file with others, you are sharing a report as well as its underlying data. You may create a PBIT file by clicking ‘File’, ‘Export’, ‘Power BI Template’ or convert a ‘PBIT’ file to a ‘PBIX’ file by opening the PBIT file because the PBIT file converts to a PBIX file automatically.

 

For further information, you can refer to the following links.

 

PBIX: https://www.fourmoo.com/2017/05/02/what-makes-up-a-power-bi-desktop-pbix-file/

PBIT: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/desktop-templates

 

Best Regards,

Allan

 

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

View solution in original post

2 REPLIES 2
v-alq-msft
Community Support
Community Support

Hi, @Anonymous 

 

Based on your questions, here are the differences between them. Generally speaking, the size of PBIX file is much more larger than the size of PBIT file. Actually, what is not included in PBIT files is the report's data. The PBIT file keeps your report structure and contains ‘DataModelSchema File’ instead of ‘‘DataModel File’’. However, If you choose import mode, the PBIX file stores all imported data from data sources and the report structure. So when you share the PBIX file with others, you are sharing a report as well as its underlying data. You may create a PBIT file by clicking ‘File’, ‘Export’, ‘Power BI Template’ or convert a ‘PBIT’ file to a ‘PBIX’ file by opening the PBIT file because the PBIT file converts to a PBIX file automatically.

 

For further information, you can refer to the following links.

 

PBIX: https://www.fourmoo.com/2017/05/02/what-makes-up-a-power-bi-desktop-pbix-file/

PBIT: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/desktop-templates

 

Best Regards,

Allan

 

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

Gordonlilj
Solution Sage
Solution Sage

Hi,

 

The link below explains the difference pretty well

PBIT vs PBIX – How and why they’re different 

Helpful resources

Announcements
Power BI DataViz World Championships

Power BI Dataviz World Championships

The Power BI Data Visualization World Championships is back! Get ahead of the game and start preparing now!

December 2025 Power BI Update Carousel

Power BI Monthly Update - December 2025

Check out the December 2025 Power BI Holiday Recap!

FabCon Atlanta 2026 carousel

FabCon Atlanta 2026

Join us at FabCon Atlanta, March 16-20, for the ultimate Fabric, Power BI, AI and SQL community-led event. Save $200 with code FABCOMM.