Power BI is a suite of business analytics tools and services that work together to access data sources, shape, analyze and visualize data, and share insights. Although not all tools are required for all projects or deployments of Power BI, synergies are available by utilizing the unique features of multiple tools as part of integrated solutions encompassing diverse data sources and visualization types.
In this chapter, we walk through the installation and configuration of the primary tools and services BI professionals utilize to design and develop Power BI content including Power BI Desktop, the On-Premises Data Gateway, DAX Studio, and the Power BI Publisher for Excel. Additionally, as Power BI tools and services are regularly updated with new features and enhancements, resources are identified to stay up-to-date and to best take advantage of these tools for your projects.
It's assumed that the reader has access to a Power BI Pro license, rights to download and install (or allow installation) the development tools on their machine, and has the necessary access and rights to deploy and manage content in the Power BI Service and utilize the Power BI mobile applications. Power BI licensing options and assigning and managing these rights is outside the scope of this book.