Power BI – Interview Question
Answer:
Power BI is a business analytics toolset that includes multiple components, each serving different purposes:
- Power BI Desktop:
- It is a free, Windows-based application used for data transformation, modeling, and creating reports.
- Features include data cleaning, creating relationships between tables, DAX (Data Analysis Expressions), and creating visualizations.
- Reports created in Power BI Desktop can be published to the Power BI Service.
- Power BI Service (Power BI Online):
- It is a cloud-based SaaS (Software as a Service) offering.
- Used for sharing, collaborating, and accessing reports and dashboards created in Power BI Desktop.
- Allows for real-time updates, scheduled refresh, and setting up dashboards.
- Provides features like workspaces, apps, and sharing with end-users.
- Power BI Mobile:
- It is a mobile application available for Android, iOS, and Windows.
- Used for viewing and interacting with reports and dashboards on the go.
- Supports push notifications and allows users to stay connected to their data in real-time.
Key Difference:
| Feature | Power BI Desktop | Power BI Service | Power BI Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Create and develop reports | Share and collaborate | View and interact |
| Platform | Windows application | Cloud-based (web) | Mobile app |
| Cost | Free | Requires Pro or Premium | Free (with Pro features dependent on Service) |
| Data Refresh | Manual | Automated/Scheduled | Connected to Service |
