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
Ponce
New Member

undefined

Hello everyone!!

I am planning to install Power BI Report Server but I have questions about using SSAS.

Is it a requirement to install SSAS to install Power BI Report Server? Or when is it convenient to have an SSAS instance together with a Power BI Report Server instance?

 

Thanks!!!

1 REPLY 1
josef78
Memorable Member
Memorable Member

No, you do not need install SSAS instance together with Power BI Report Server.

 

Power BI Report installation includes internal and hidden SSAS service in special disk-less mode, but you it's fully integrated, do not take care about it (if standard limitations of PBIRS import models are enough for you)

 

BUT, if you want little more:

-if you need models larger than 1 or 2GB

-if you want partitions and incremental processing

-if you make more reports based on single model
In these cases you need install SSAS instance (and create models in VisualStudio SSDT), but then, please, install SSAS on separated server (not on same server together with PBIRS), and use Power BI reports with live connection to SSAS.

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.