Power BI

Microsoft Power BI is a business analytics tool that enables users to visualize data, share insights, and make data-driven decisions. It is part of the Microsoft Power Platform and integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft services.

Key features:
- Connect to various data sources such as Excel, SQL Server, Azure, and cloud-based services
- Use Power Query to clean, transform, and mash up data from multiple sources
- Create relationships between different data sets and build complex data models
- Create interactive and visually appealing reports using a wide range of visualizations like charts, graphs, maps, and gauges
- Easily build and format visuals using a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface
- Customize the look and feel of reports with themes, formatting options, and custom visuals
- Utilize AI features to uncover hidden insights, detect patterns, and make predictions
- Ask questions in natural language and get answers in the form of visualizations
- Perform advanced analytics and create custom visuals using R and Python scripts
- Collaborate with colleagues in shared workspaces
- Publish reports to the Power BI service and share them via web, mobile apps, or Microsoft Teams
- Set up data-driven alerts to stay informed about important changes in your data
- Access and interact with your reports on the go using Power BI mobile apps for iOS and Android

How it works:
Users start by downloading Power BI Desktop, a free application for creating reports and data models. They import data from various sources and use Power Query to clean and transform the data. Using the drag-and-drop interface, users create interactive reports with various visualizations. Once the report is ready, it can be published to the Power BI service for sharing and collaboration.

Integrations:
Power BI integrates seamlessly with the Microsoft ecosystem, including Microsoft 365, Azure, Dynamics 365, and Microsoft Teams. It also connects to various third-party services like Salesforce and Google Analytics. APIs and SDKs are available for integrating Power BI with custom applications and workflows.

Use of AI:
Power BI leverages AI features to uncover hidden insights, detect patterns, and make predictions. It integrates with Microsoft Cognitive Services for advanced AI capabilities like text analytics and image recognition.

AI foundation model:
Power BI leverages Microsoft Fabric, an AI-powered data analytics platform, to enhance data processing and insights generation.

How to access:
Power BI is available as a desktop application (Power BI Desktop) for creating reports, a web application (Power BI service) for publishing and sharing reports, and mobile applications for iOS and Android. APIs and SDKs are also available for integrating Power BI capabilities into custom applications.