DARTS : Power BI FAQs

Answers to some of your burning Power BI questions!

Do I need a Power BI Pro license?

Not everyone will need to purchase a Pro license to use Power BI. See this informational page to help you decide if a Pro license is right for you.

How do I get a Power BI Pro license?

Once you've determined that you do indeed need a Pro license, fill out this form to request one.

How do I create a Power BI HUB SharePoint Library?

If you are a report creator and have a Pro license, you will need a Library on the Power BI HUB SharePoint site. See our Managing UMS Power BI HUB SharePoint Library Access web page to access the Library request form and read instructions for how to get started.

How do I get a Power BI Workspace in Power BI Service?

If you are a report creator and have a Pro license, you will either need access to someone's Workspace or you will need your own. See our Power BI Workspaces & Apps page for information and to access the Workspace Request Form.

Is there a request process available now for Power BI Premium space? 

Sure is! Here is request form to upgrade your Workspace to Premium Capacity.

How do I manage security in my Workspace and App?

See our documentation for Power BI Permissions.

When do I use Workspaces, and when should I create a Workspace App?

See our Power BI Workspaces & Apps pages for answers.

Which is the best way to organize multiple reports for administrators?

See our Power BI Workspaces & Apps pages for answers.

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What is the difference between a Power BI report and a Power BI dashboard? When does it matter?

If you are exploring a Power BI visualization created by a colleague, the difference between a report and a dashboard is one you needn't worry about. For Power BI authors who create visualizations, the distinction between a report and a dashboard helps with optimizing the design and functionality of the visualization, data set(s), and data model(s). 

Power BI is used to visualize and analyze data using reports and dashboards.

• A Power BI report is a visual display of charts, graphs, data tables, etc. that ALL are sourced from a single data set.
• A Power BI dashboard is a visual display of charts, graphs, data tables, etc. that are sourced from multiple data sets.

Can I use more than one dataset as my source for a report in a Workspace? 

All data sources are stored in our Power BI HUB SharePoint site. Users can combine multiple data sources and create one dataset, however you can only use one dataset on the workspace right now. (Hopefully in October, it will be available.)

Can we put student level data in the Power BI HUB site on SharePoint?

Yes. We have an agreement with Microsoft, using the same guidelines that we have with Google, to protect FERPA and HIPAA data. The agreements have been reviewed by both our Information Security Office and the UMS General Counsel.

Is there a way to turn on access to aggregated data behind visuals, but not allow the full dataset to be accessed and downloaded?

The best route is to use the Workspace for detailed data and then create a Workspace App for aggregate data access. See our Power BI Workspaces & Apps pages for more information.

How can I use DAX?

You can find more information about using DAX by following the links below. 

• DAX Guide 
• SQLBI Blog

Using variables instead of DAX is another way. 

Find out more on our PBI Resource page.

Can I create templates using JSON enabling me to begin with the same settings each time I start a new dashboard?

You don’t need to use JSON.  Open Power BI Desktop, and go to View -> Customize Theme. Visit our Templates page for more resources about creating and using templates.

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