Power BI is Microsoft’s data visualization and business intelligence platform. It helps you connect, model, and visualize data through interactive dashboards and reports. You can combine data from multiple sources while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and security.
| Feature | Power BI | Excel |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Business intelligence and visualization | Data entry and analysis |
| Scalability | Handles large and complex datasets | Limited by file size and performance |
| Collaboration | Cloud-based workspaces with real-time sharing | File-based sharing and version control |
| Data sources | Connects to a wide range of cloud and on-premises sources | More limited direct integrations |
| Visualization | Interactive dashboards and reports | Static charts and tables |
Web version: Sign in at Power BI or through the Microsoft 365 Portal and select Power BI from the app launcher. Available on Windows and macOS.
Browser compatibility: Works best in Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Firefox.
Power BI Desktop (Windows only): A downloadable application for building reports offline with advanced data modeling before publishing to the Power BI Service.
Power BI Pro is provided by default to most members of the KAUST community.
Depending on your affiliation with KAUST, such as student, staff, or faculty, a license may not be automatically assigned. If you do not see Pro features available, you can request access at the Microsoft 365 Request Portal.
Note: Premium is capacity-based and typically managed at the department or workspace level. For enterprise or high-performance reporting needs, contact the IT Service Desk.
Reports that exceed workspace limits may need to be moved to a Premium workspace. For guidance, contact the IT Service Desk.
Keep your reports up to date with scheduled refreshes.
Accessibility tip: Use clear labels and accessible color combinations. Power BI includes an Accessibility Checker to help ensure reports are usable by everyone.
Power BI supports operational dashboards, research insights, and planning analytics across the University. It keeps reporting within KAUST’s secure Microsoft cloud and aligns with Information Security and Data Privacy standards.
