If you allow editing, there will be multiple copies of the reports with different visualizations and format. Reports should be created by one person / team and viewed by others. There is no way of hiding the data if you send the PBIX file. You may not want to show the entire underlying data to the viewers of the report. There are many disadvantages with this approach… This approach of using Power BI for free is exactly like what we have been doing with Excel reports for decades. In any case, sending as attachments or sharing as links, PBIX file sharing has many disadvantages …. Therefore, sending PBIX attachments is not a good way of sharing reports.

Exactly like Excel, as the file size increases, you are bound to exceed the email attachment limit very soon. Why not save PBIX to local drive and send as attachments?Īlthough this is possible, you will soon face bottlenecks as the data grows. The other party does not need Power BI Pro license. This requires you to purchase the Power BI Pro license. The right way is to PUBLISH the report to Power BI web site and share it from there. This is just a workaround to get you started getting used to Power BI and see the benefits for yourself. Next month (or any time later) when more data comes, just refresh the data and save the file.

Those who want to see the report must have Power BI Desktop installed on their PC. Save the report file (.PBIX) to OneDrive, SharePoint or Teams. Read on to find out more… Power BI free :The ProcessĬlick the Download button and Download Power BI Desktop. Sharing PBIX files may seem satisfy your needs – but it has many disadvantages. Then the next question is – if this works for free, why pay Microsoft that 9$ per user per month license for Power BI Pro? Good question. Power BI free version offers all the features and connectors with no time limit or restrictions. All users must have Power BI Desktop free version. Share the reports with each other as links or attachments – exactly the way we do with Excel files. Create Power BI Reports, save PBIX files on OneDrive / Teams. Use Power BI free just like we use Excel. In fact, I will show you how to get tangible value by using Power BI free version so that you can easily justify the cost of the license with a strong and compelling business justification. This article is not meant to show you how to cheat on the licensing cost. I am a strong proponent of purchasing licensed software. Here is how you can use Power BI free of cost. I have noticed that most customers are reluctant to pay the 9$ license cost for Power BI.

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