Getting started
Install & tour the interface
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Download Power BI Desktop
It's free. Get it from the Microsoft Store (recommended — it auto-updates) or the official Power BI download page. Windows only; on a Mac, use a Windows VM or author in the Service.
The three views
On the left edge you'll switch between:
- Report — the canvas where you place visuals.
- Table / Data — see the actual rows in each table.
- Model — see tables and the relationships between them.
Key panes
- Fields — every table and column you can use.
- Visualizations — pick a chart type and drag fields onto it.
- Filters — scope a visual, a page, or the whole report.
Tip: you spend most of your time bouncing between Report and Model. Get comfortable switching early.
Pairs well with
Power BI Basics
This is strong on Data Prep; Power BI Basics adds Data Prep. Together they cover the full workflow.
This Power BI Basics
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