How to Use Microsoft Power BI to Create Business Reports

Microsoft’s Power BI consists of a set of business intelligence, data visualisation, and reporting services and products for both teams and individuals. Power BI is unique with its simplified distribution and publishing capabilities, as well as its integration with many other Microsoft applications, such as Microsoft Office 365.

If you need Microsoft Office 365 support, be sure to visit our website for experienced assistance with all of your business needs. Thanks to this handy collection of tools, you can easily create business reports for your business. In this guide, we cover the fundamental steps necessary to create business reports from Microsoft PowerBI.

PowerBI Close Up

Power BI is made up of several components that come together to deliver a streamlined user experience. And with every part of Power BI, you can expect the following three basics:

- Power BI Desktop, the Windows desktop app
- Mobile app for iOS, Android, and Windows
- Power BI service, online SaaS

With these three components, you can make use of business insights in the most effective way to serve you and your role. Best of all, you can create and share your projects for streamlined collaboration.

Personalised Support

You and the members of your team are free to use the Microsoft Business Intelligence Tool in the manner that best suits your needs. For example, you may mainly use the service to view reports and dashboards. Your colleagues who deal with numbers and create business reports may use Power BI Desktop or Power BI Report Builder extensively to create reports.

You can then publish those reports to Power BI’s service, where you can view them. Another colleague in the sales department may mainly use the Power BI mobile app to keep track of the progress of sales quotas or gain insight into the details of new sales leads.

If you are a developer, Power BI API lets you push data to datasets or embed reports and dashboards in your very own custom apps. Perhaps you have an all-new visual idea. You can create it by yourself and then share your new idea with others.

What’s more, you can also use Power BI’s robust elements at varying times. It all depends on your role or what you are trying to accomplish in your project. However, if you decide to use Power BI, it will largely depend on which feature best fits your needs at the time.

For instance, Power BI Desktop lets you create statistical reports based on customer engagement that you can share with your team. You can also view manufacturing progress and inventory status via Power BI’s real-time dashboard.

You can create paginated reports with invoices based on Power BI datasets that you can mail. Power BI is readily available for you to use in its entirety, making it all the more flexible and versatile.

If you need to learn how to create these business reports, read on and follow our guide that details the appropriate steps.

Creating Business Reports with Microsoft PowerBI

Storing and managing reports locally with Power BI is easy. And in the report server’s web portal, you can also store reports that you’ve created in Power BI. They are saved to the cloud, where you can then share them with colleagues.

From there, anyone reading your business reports can see them via a browser. Alternatively, they may view your reports using the mobile app mentioned above.

To get started, just follow these easy steps.

Install the Desktop App

If you have already made reports using Power BI Desktop, you may soon create reports for the Report Server in Power BI.

Try installing the Desktop app for the Report Server. In doing so, you will know that the apps and Server always stay in sync. Please note that you may have two versions of the Desktop app running on the same computer.

- In the web portal’s report server, choose Download and then Power BI Desktop.
- You can also navigate to the report server homepage. From there, choose “Advanced Download Options.”
- When you’re at the “Download Center,” click “Download.”
- According to your computer, choose either: PBIDesktopRS.msi (32-bit) or PBIDesktopRS_x64.msi (64-bit).
- After downloading the installer, run the installation wizard for Power BI Desktop.
- Once the installation ends, click “Start Power BI Desktop now.”

It will start automatically, and you can start using it.

Choose a Data Source

With Power BI, it’s easy to stay connected with several data source options.

- At the welcome page or the Home tab, choose “Get Data.”
- Now you can choose your data source.
- Next, fill in the Server. You may also want to choose your database.
- Ensure that you have “Connect Live” selected.
- Click “OK,”

You’re now ready to select where you want your reports saved. As such, you’ll need to select the Server.

Report Design

Here, you get to be creative in how you want your reports to look. Power BI lets you illustrate and add effects. To do so, simply navigate to “Visualisations” and choose “Funnel Chart.”

You just drag, drop, and click to complete your designs.

Save Your Report

Lastly, when your report is complete, navigate to “File” and click on “Save as.” From there, select the Report Server to finalise your save.

Need Microsoft Office 365 Business Support?

Powernet is your source for expert Microsoft Office 365 support. So if you need Office 365 support Australia, we are here to provide the guidance and direction you need to succeed. We invite you to contact us today to find out how we can assist you in your business.

With nearly 30 years of experience serving Australia, Powernet is here to ensure that you use your Microsoft Office software to its maximum potential. We offer a wide range of services, too, including Teams Calling, communications, cloud services, and so much more.

For Office 365 support Sydney, call +61 2 8214 8855

For Office 365 support Brisbane, call +61 7 3137 1313

For Office 365 support Melbourne, call +61 3 9927 6000