Power BI Desktop is a free application that can easily be downloaded and installed on any Windows-based system. These are easy steps to guide aspirants on how to download and install Power BI Desktop.
Prior to downloading Power BI Desktop, one must make sure that the system meets the below-mentioned requirements:
Operating System: Windows 7/ 8/ 8.1/ 10/ Server 2008 R2/ Server 2012/ later versions.
Memory: Minimum 1 GB RAM/ 2 GB (or more) recommended.
Disk Space: At least 1.5 GB available
.NET Framework: .NET 4.5 (or later)
These steps should be followed to download Power BI Desktop-
Visit the Power BI Website: Open browser and visit the official Power BI website.
Access the Download Section: Navigate to the Power BI homepage > hover on the 'Products' menu, which is at the top of the page > click on 'Power BI Desktop' in the dropdown list. This will lead to the 'Power BI Desktop' page.
Initiate the Download: A button named 'Download free' will appear. Click on this button. It will redirect the user to the 'Microsoft Store' page or to a direct download page. It varies as per the system and browser settings.
Pick the Download Method:
Microsoft Store: Click on 'Get' > follow the on-screen instructions.
Direct Download: Pick the apt version (32-bit/ 64-bit) as per the system architecture > click on the download link.
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After the download is finished it's time to install Power BI Desktop. Here are simple steps to make it happen.
Locate the Installer: Navigate to where the downloaded file has been saved. It is generally named something like 'PBIDesktopSetup.exe.'
Run the Installer: To run the installer file, double-click on it. A User Account Control (UAC) prompt may appear, seeking permission to render changes to the device. Click 'Yes' to move ahead.
Pick the Installation Language: Once the installer is launched, a prompt to pick the installation language will appear. Pick the apt language and click 'Next'.
Say yes to the License Agreement: Go through the license agreement > select the checkbox stating 'I accept the terms in the License Agreement' > click 'Next'.
Pick the Installation Folder: The installer prompts the user to pick the destination folder to install the Power BI Desktop. The default location is also fine. However, it can be changed, if needed. Click 'Next' to continue.
Commence the Installation: Tap on the 'Install' button to commence the installation process. The necessary files will be copied to the system and the app will be configured by the installer. This process may take some time.
Finish the Installation: After completing the installation, a final screen pops to confirm the complete installation of Power BI Desktop. Tap on 'Finish' to exit the installer.
After the installation is complete, it's time to launch Power BI Desktop.
Start Menu: Tap on the 'Start menu', which is in the lower-left corner of the screen. Swipe through the list containing installed apps to find 'Microsoft Power BI Desktop'. Click to launch the app.
Desktop Shortcut: Double-click on the 'Power BI Desktop' icon on the desktop to open the app.
Taskbar: Power BI Desktop can be pinned to the taskbar for quick access. Right-click on the 'Power BI Desktop' icon (in the Start menu/ on the desktop) > select 'Pin to taskbar'.
When launching Power BI Desktop for the very first time, it may prompt the user to sign in with a Microsoft account. Those having a Power BI account can enter their credentials and sign in. Those who do not have an account can create one for free.
Now that Power BI Desktop is installed and running, it is easy to begin exploring its features.
Connect to Data Sources: Tap on the 'Get Data' button available on the 'Home' tab. This will connect to multiple data sources such as SQL Server, Excel, Azure, and others.
Transform & Clean Data: Utilize Power Query Editor to transform, shape and clean the data to mold it as per the analysis requirements.
Create Visualizations: Drag and drop required fields onto the report canvas. This will help create graphs, charts, visualizations and tables.
Build Reports: Amalgamate various visualizations into a unified report. To this, add filters and then customize the layout to fit with the needs.
Publish Reports: Once the report is ready, it can be published to the Power BI Service to be shared and help in collaboration.
Microsoft keeps on releasing updates for Power BI Desktop frequently. This adds new features, improves performance and fixes bugs.
Updates will be installed automatically for those who have downloaded this from the Microsoft Store.
One will have to manually check for updates if Power BI Desktop has been downloaded directly from the Power BI website. Open Power BI Desktop > go to the 'Help' menu > tap on 'Check for Updates'. The prompts should be followed to download and install the current version.
Course Schedule
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