Power BI – Power Platform Data Sources

Power Platform is a suite of low-code and no-code tools that allows users to build custom applications, workflows, and business solutions. Power BI is a part of the Power Platform and integrates with other Power Platform solutions to provide data-driven insights and analytics. Here are the different Power Platform data sources in Power BI:

• Power BI datasets
• Datamarts (preview)
• Power BI dataflows (Legacy)
• Common Data Service (Legacy)
• Dataverse
• Dataflows

Power BI datasets: Power BI datasets are collections of data that are used to build reports, dashboards, and visualizations. Power BI datasets can be created from a variety of data sources, including Excel workbooks, SQL Server, Oracle, and other databases. You can also create datasets using Power Query in Power BI Desktop or Power BI Service.

Datamarts (preview): Datamarts are a new data source in Power BI that allow you to create datasets from data that has been modeled and optimized for analysis. Datamarts use a star schema model that includes fact tables and dimension tables. Datamarts can be created from a variety of data sources, including SQL Server, Oracle, and other databases.

Power BI dataflows (legacy): Power BI dataflows are a legacy solution for building ETL processes and creating datasets in Power BI. Dataflows use Power Query to extract, transform, and load data from a variety of data sources. Dataflows can be scheduled to run on a regular basis, and they can also be used to create dataflows in Power Apps.

Common Data Service (Legacy): Common Data Service (CDS) is a legacy data source in Power BI that allows you to build apps and automate workflows using a common data model. CDS can be used to store and manage data from a variety of sources, including Dynamics 365, SharePoint, and other business applications.

Dataverse: Dataverse is a cloud-based data platform that allows you to build and manage applications using a common data model. Dataverse can be used as a data source in Power BI to create datasets and build reports. Dataverse provides built-in security and compliance features to ensure data is protected.

Dataflows: Dataflows is a newer solution in Power BI that replaces the legacy Power BI dataflows. Dataflows provide a low-code ETL solution that allows you to extract data from a variety of sources, transform and clean it using Power Query, and load it into Power BI datasets. Dataflows can be scheduled to run on a regular basis, and they can also be used to create dataflows in Power Apps.

In summary, Power Platform data sources in Power BI provide a wide range of options for creating datasets and building reports. You can choose from legacy solutions like Power BI dataflows and Common Data Service, or newer solutions like datamarts and Dataflows. By using these data sources, you can create powerful insights and analytics that drive business value.

The following image shows the Get Data window for Power Platform.