Connect Excel to Power BI Desktop (non cloud version)

[LeaningTree]

Desperately need the capability to connect Excel to Power BI Desktop files as is now possible through the Power BI cloud service.

[steve_wing]

This is a badly needed feature. I have a large data model that I would normally just build in Excel. My IT department will only support 32 bit Office 365/Excel, but they've allowed me access to 64 bit Power BI. The model is too large (Over 1GB) to load to powerbi.com (not to mention the fact that my IT dept currently has the site blocked), and I have hard copy (yes, we still print reports) reports & visuals that need to be formatted very specifically (both for printable layout and to meet company formatting standards). I need some sort of pipeline to connect the cubeformulas and slicers in my Excel file to the .pbix data model. Ad Hoc data pulls in a pivot table would be very useful too (the matrix visual is still not quite as dynamic), but only a "nice to have." Please help!

[elliott_young1]

Don't forget you can always use Dax Studio or Analysis Services on the Power BI port.