Microsoft Power BI is the most widely deployed BI tool globally, largely because it is included in Microsoft 365 licences. It offers powerful data modelling, interactive visualisation, and natural language Q&A, making it accessible to Excel-proficient business users.
Product Overview
Power BI's DAX formula language and Power Query data transformation engine give analysts capabilities that rival Tableau at a fraction of the cost. Its integration with Excel, Teams, SharePoint, and Dynamics 365 makes it the natural choice for Microsoft-standardised organisations. Copilot AI now generates reports and answers data questions in natural language.
Key Features
- Power Query: No-code ETL tool for connecting, transforming, and shaping data from 100+ sources.
- DAX: Formula language for building calculated measures, KPIs, and time-intelligence calculations.
- Copilot (AI): Natural language queries and AI-generated report suggestions.
- Paginated Reports: Pixel-perfect, printable reports for operational reporting and invoicing.
- Power BI Service: Cloud workspace for sharing, scheduling refreshes, and managing row-level security.
Best For
Organisations standardised on Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, or Azure that want powerful BI without a separate platform investment.
Pricing
Power BI Pro at $10/user/month; Premium Per User at $20/user/month; Premium capacity from $4,995/month.
Key Integrations
Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Azure, Salesforce, SharePoint, Teams, Excel
Pros
- Extremely cost-effective
- Excellent Microsoft integration
- Powerful DAX for complex calculations
- Huge community
Cons
- Steep DAX learning curve
- Licensing can be complex
- Mobile experience weaker than Tableau
