Power BI version (PBI) Desktop was released in March 2020 Update (2.79.5768.562)
PBI Desktop is a free application you can install on your local computer that lets you connect to, transform, and visualize your data. With Power BI Desktop, you can connect to multiple different sources of data, and combine them (often called modeling) into a data model that lets you build visuals, and collections of visuals you can share as reports, with other people inside your organization. Most users who work on Business Intelligence projects use PBI Desktop to create reports, and then use the PBI service to share their reports with others.
The most common uses for PBI Desktop are the following:
- Connect to data
- Transform and clean that data, to create a data model
- Create visuals, such as charts or graphs, that provide visual representations of the data
- Create reports that are collections of visuals, on one or more report pages
- Share reports with others using the PBI service
- The latest Coronavirus modelling is being undertaken using Power BI and private coronavirus testing statistical models
People most often responsible for such tasks are often considered data analysts (sometimes just referred to as analysts) or Business Intelligence professionals (often referred to as report creators). However, many people who don’t consider themselves an analyst or a report creator use Power BI Desktop to create compelling reports, or to pull data from various sources and build data models, which they can share with their coworkers and organizations.
Reporting
New action types for buttons
Multi-column sort for tables
Dual axis for line chart
Filter pane search
Updates to decomposition tree visual
New ribbon is now on by default
Modeling
New DAX function: COALESCE
Visuals
Updates to ArcGIS Maps
New Power BI visuals
Template apps
Azure DevOps dashboard by Data Maru
TeamsPower by Encamina
Data preparation
Query diagnostics now generally available
Data connectivity
Hive LLAP connector (preview)
Cognite connector (preview)
Other features
Enhanced dataset metadata (preview)
Using default system credentials for web proxy
New instructor-led administrator in a day training
Archive of PBI Versions
Power BI version (PBI) Desktop was released in October 2019 Update and is version (2.74.5619.621).
The latest version of Power BI contains the following new features and enhacements
Power BI Version Reporting
Automatic page refresh for DirectQuery
Power BI Analytics
The new Q&A visual
Improved user experience for Q&A
Improved drop-down control
Red and blue underlines
Improved visual results
Natural language improvements for Q&A
Integration with Office / Bing thesaurus
Support for measure tables, and better handling of table names and ambiguity
Q&A tooling (preview)
Review questions
Teach Q&A
Review all changes made
Support for SSAS and Azure AS, including RLS
Visuals
PowerApps visual now included by default
New xViz visuals
PBI Data connectivity
Sagra Emigo connector generally available
Azure cost Management connector updated
New Workplace Analytics connector
Data preparation
Query diagnostics
Data profiling enhancements
Template apps
Project Web App
Other
New file format: .PBIDS
Performance improvements for modeling operations
