Clarification on Correct Report Builder Version for On-Premise Power BI Report Server

[Maverik91]

Hello,

I would like to request clarification regarding the correct version of Report Builder to use with an on-premise Power BI Report Server environment.

Currently, there appear to be two different versions available, which has led to some confusion:

1. Microsoft® Report Builder (link)
   This is the version suggested for download directly from our on-premise Power BI Report Server portal when a user tries to create or edit a report.
   However, I've noticed difficulties using shared data sources with SSO when working with this version.

2. Microsoft® Power BI Report Builder (link)
   This is the version found through a general search for "Power BI Report Builder" and is described as being optimized for the Power BI service. Nevertheless, it appears to work with our on-premise server as well.
   
   

Could you please confirm which version is the correct and officially supported one for an on-premise Power BI Report Server installation?
Additionally, any advice regarding SSO with shared data sources would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance. 

Marco

[v-karpurapud]

Hi @Maverik91 

We have not yet heard back from you about whether our response addressed your query. If it did not, please share more details so we can assist you more effectively.

Thank You.

[v-karpurapud]

Hi @Maverik91 

Thank you for contacting the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.

For on-premises Power BI Report Server environments, the recommended and supported Report Builder version is Microsoft® Report Builder. You can download it directly from the Power BI Report Server web portal or through this official link. This version is specifically intended for use with SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and Power BI Report Server in on-premises scenarios. It supports integration with shared data sources and is optimized for Windows Authentication and Single Sign-On (SSO), provided the server environment is properly configured, especially with Kerberos authentication.

On the other hand, Microsoft® Power BI Report Builder, available at this link, is designed for the Power BI Service (cloud). While it might appear to function with on-premises servers, it is not officially supported for that purpose and may cause compatibility issues, particularly with shared data sources and SSO.
 

To ensure SSO works correctly with shared data sources, please use Windows Integrated Security and ensure Kerberos authentication is configured. This includes registering Service Principal Names (SPNs) for both the Power BI Report Server and the data source (such as SQL Server), and enabling constrained delegation if needed. With proper configuration, users can securely and reliably use shared data sources without authentication issues.
 

For further information and configuration guidance, please refer to the official Microsoft documentation onConfigure Windows authentication on the report server - SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) | Micro...

Regards,
Karpurapu D,
Microsoft Fabric Community Support Team.

[hackcrr · Accepted solution]

HI, @Maverik91 

You can use Microsoft® Report Builder to connect to the shared data sources above your Power BI Report Server Web portal. This model is usually used for designing paginated reports for local report servers.

Microsoft® Power BI Report Builder is a tool launched for paginated reports in Power BI Service, which adds support for semantic models, Azure, and more. Most of their functionalities are consistent. Therefore, if you want to connect to a shared data source on your local report server, you should choose Microsoft® Report Builder.