Why is there 2 PBI desktop versions and why are they both not kept in sync with the same updates

[jrubino77]

I see that there is a PBI Desktop APP and a PBI Desktop Server versions.  The Desktop APP has updates monthly and the Desktop Server has updates every 4 months.  My problem is that we push our PBI reports to a PBI Server, so we have to use the Desktop Server version.   The Desktop APP version will not allow us to upload reports to the server.  The Desktop APP version has all the new cool tools/updates.  We want these new updates in the Desktop Server version.

Why cannot these 2 be kept in sync?

Thank you

Jim

[mwegener · Accepted solution]

Hi @jrubino77 ,

because the local Power BI report server only gets an update once a quarter and to my knowledge no preview features either. The Power BI Desktop version must match that of your local Power BI report server. Not all functions from the cloud can also be offered locally.

[jrubino77]

That really makes it difficult to be able to make some really good report views like the Desktop APP (cloud) version would have available becuase of the newest updates.  The June, July and August updates have some really nice new updates that I would love to have in the PBI Report Server version.

I wish Microsoft would change their policy on their quarterly version updates.

Thank you for your quick replies.

[mwegener]

Hi @jrubino77 ,

If I answered your question, please mark my post as solution, this will also help others.
Please give Kudos for support.