PowerBI + DAX features

[Ruksuro]

Apologies if this question isn't appropriate, I can't find any clear answers... my company are considering investing in PowerBI so we are doing feasiblity checks.

Is the following process possible?

• On-prem SQL database ->
• PowerBI dataset (daily refresh) ->
• Analyst driven manipulation of dataset using DAX (to save DA time)->
• Dashboard creation

PowerBI desktop has data manipulation tools (DAX, Data & Relationship Tabs) which provides great flexibility, these don't appear to be present in the service tool though.

Any advice on how PowerBI Pro is supposed to be implemented when accessing on-prem data would be greatly appreciated. The desktop solution doesn't appear to be appropriate as we want a central locaiton for dashboards.

[Seth_C_Bauer · Accepted solution]

@Ruksuro The Desktop is the tool that you will use to author your reports. All DAX, data manipulation, model building, etc. is done in that tool. When you have completed the report, you publish that to the Service. (Publish button in Desktop)

The Service is for sharing, this is where you would build your dashboards or Apps to share with others. There is no ability in the Service to add or modify your model, it shares report building capabilities with the Desktop, but that is it. Its primary function is collaboration and sharing.

Both are part of the complete solution.

[Seth_C_Bauer · Accepted solution]

@Ruksuro The Desktop is the tool that you will use to author your reports. All DAX, data manipulation, model building, etc. is done in that tool. When you have completed the report, you publish that to the Service. (Publish button in Desktop)

The Service is for sharing, this is where you would build your dashboards or Apps to share with others. There is no ability in the Service to add or modify your model, it shares report building capabilities with the Desktop, but that is it. Its primary function is collaboration and sharing.

Both are part of the complete solution.

[Ruksuro]

Hi Eno, thanks for replying!

So say I build a report locally on desktop based on a database connection, I can then publish this to service for sharing. How is the data then refreshed?

I must be having a slow day!

[Seth_C_Bauer · Accepted solution]

@Ruksuro First you would need to download a gatway (most likely the On Premises Data Gateway) then you would publish the PBIX file. And in the Service you would schedule a refresh on the dataset.

That is if you use "Import"

If you use the Direct Query connection, then you wouldn't need to schedule any refresh, the dataset would always be up to date because it queries the database directly via the gateway.

[Ruksuro]

Appreciate the help Eno, thanks.