Insights from Microsoft Power BI Reviewers
Based on 53 verified reviews published in the last 18 months
What other products like Microsoft Power BI have you used or evaluated?
53 answeredIn a corpus of 53 product reviews, several alternative business intelligence tools were mentioned by reviewers who had experience with Microsoft Power BI. Tableau Desktop was the most frequently cited alternative, mentioned by 11% (6 of 53) of reviewers, followed closely by Looker at 9% (5 of 53). Tableau Cloud, Qlik Sense, Tableau CRM, and Qlik Analytics Platform were each mentioned by 4% (2 of 53) of reviewers. These tools represent a range of platforms used for data visualization and analytics, often appearing in the context of comparing features or suitability for specific business needs.
Tableau Desktop
6 mentionsTableau Desktop is mentioned as an alternative or comparable tool. Reviewers reference it in conjunction with other pla…
Tableau Desktop is mentioned as an alternative or comparable tool. Reviewers reference it in conjunction with other platforms, suggesting a landscape where users often evaluate multiple options. The tool is being considered alongside others for data analysis and reporting needs.
Looker
5 mentionsLooker appears as another alternative for business intelligence and data visualization. Reviewers often mention Looker…
Looker appears as another alternative for business intelligence and data visualization. Reviewers often mention Looker alongside Tableau products, indicating that these tools are frequently compared when organizations are selecting a BI solution. This suggests it is a notable competitor in the analytics space.
Tableau Cloud
3 mentionsTableau Cloud is mentioned as a tool used or evaluated alongside Microsoft Power BI. Reviewers reference it with other…
Tableau Cloud is mentioned as a tool used or evaluated alongside Microsoft Power BI. Reviewers reference it with other platforms like Looker, Google Charts and Qlik Sense, implying a comparison of cloud-based BI solutions. This suggests that reviewers are exploring different cloud-based options for data analysis and visualization.
Qlik Sense
2 mentionsQlik Sense is identified as another tool in the business intelligence space that reviewers have experience with. It app…
Qlik Sense is identified as another tool in the business intelligence space that reviewers have experience with. It appears in conjunction with Tableau Desktop and Google Charts, suggesting it is part of a broader evaluation of different analytics platforms. This indicates that Qlik Sense is considered a viable alternative for data analysis and visualization.
Qlik Analytics Platform
2 mentions
Describe how you use Microsoft Power BI in your organization. What are the business problems the product addresses and what is the scope of your use case?
53 answeredThis report synthesizes 53 recent reviews to understand how organizations use Microsoft Power BI, the business problems it addresses, and the scope of its use cases. A significant portion of reviewers (58%, 31 of 53) highlight the creation and use of dashboards for displaying metrics to executives and decision-makers. Data analysis and reporting is also a prominent use, mentioned by 39.6% (21 of 53) of reviewers, for purposes such as financial projections and KPI monitoring. Reviewers also appreciate Power BI for data analysis and insights (26.4%, 14 of 53), which allows users to monitor, understand, and act on data and KPIs. Furthermore, the ability to connect to multiple data sources is noted as a valuable feature by 13.2% (7 of 53) of reviewers. Finally, some reviewers (11.3%, 6 of 53) find it useful for business problem solving and integration with other tools.
Dashboard creation and use
31 mentionsA majority of reviewers (58%, 31 of 53) use Microsoft Power BI for creating dashboards to display metrics and track pro…
A majority of reviewers (58%, 31 of 53) use Microsoft Power BI for creating dashboards to display metrics and track progress. These dashboards are used by executives and decision-makers to make informed business decisions. Reviewers find the ability to create dynamic dashboards that update in real-time invaluable.
Data analysis and reporting
21 mentionsAround 39.6% (21 of 53) of reviewers utilize Microsoft Power BI for data analysis and reporting purposes, including fin…
Around 39.6% (21 of 53) of reviewers utilize Microsoft Power BI for data analysis and reporting purposes, including financial projections, KPI monitoring, and supply chain performance checks. Reviewers appreciate the software's ability to consolidate data and provide visual layouts. Some reviewers consider it a fundamentally important suite of software.
Data analysis and insights
14 mentionsOver a quarter of reviewers (26.4%, 14 of 53) leverage Microsoft Power BI for data analysis and gaining insights, enabl…
Over a quarter of reviewers (26.4%, 14 of 53) leverage Microsoft Power BI for data analysis and gaining insights, enabling users to monitor KPIs and make data-driven decisions. Reviewers find it particularly useful for visualizing enterprise data and conducting efficient meetings with clients. The tool helps in understanding data through graphs and charts.
Data source connectivity
7 mentionsAbout 13.2% (7 of 53) of reviewers value Microsoft Power BI's ability to connect to multiple data sources and restrict…
About 13.2% (7 of 53) of reviewers value Microsoft Power BI's ability to connect to multiple data sources and restrict data access based on user identity. Reviewers connect it to various sources such as SAP, TEG, TEXT, and CSV files. The ability to connect with live data and import data is also appreciated.
Business problem solving
6 mentionsAround 11.3% (6 of 53) of reviewers use Microsoft Power BI to solve business problems, address manual reporting issues,…
Around 11.3% (6 of 53) of reviewers use Microsoft Power BI to solve business problems, address manual reporting issues, and eliminate data silos. The tool helps in visualizing data to monitor, understand, and act on KPIs. It also ensures secure data sharing.
Please provide some detailed examples of areas where Microsoft Power BI has room for improvement.
53 answeredThis analysis of 53 recent reviews identifies areas where Microsoft Power BI users see room for improvement. A significant concern revolves around performance and speed, cited by 19% (10 of 53) of reviewers, particularly when handling large datasets. Several reviewers also mentioned challenges related to ease of use and the user interface (UI), with 13% (7 of 53) expressing that the platform can be overwhelming for new users and that the UI/UX could be more intuitive. Further, 8% (4 of 53) of reviewers noted a steep learning curve associated with Power BI, requiring time to gain proficiency, while another 6% (3 of 53) found DAX formulas and queries overly complex. A smaller fraction of users, 8% (4 of 53), suggested improvements in AI integration and features.
Performance and Speed
10 mentionsPerformance and speed are notable areas for improvement, according to 19% (10 of 53) of reviewers. The primary concern…
Performance and speed are notable areas for improvement, according to 19% (10 of 53) of reviewers. The primary concern revolves around the platform's handling of large datasets, which can lead to slower performance and longer refresh times. Some reviewers also noted that real-time reporting could be smoother.
Ease of Use and UI
7 mentionsSeveral reviewers, 13% (7 of 53), suggest that Microsoft Power BI could improve its ease of use and user interface (UI)…
Several reviewers, 13% (7 of 53), suggest that Microsoft Power BI could improve its ease of use and user interface (UI). Reviewers find the platform confusing, especially for new users, and note that navigating settings and features can be challenging. Some suggest the UX could be more intuitive and user-friendly.
Steep learning curve
4 mentionsAbout 8% (4 of 53) of reviewers feel that Microsoft Power BI has a steep learning curve. While some find it quick to ge…
About 8% (4 of 53) of reviewers feel that Microsoft Power BI has a steep learning curve. While some find it quick to get started, gaining proficiency can be challenging, particularly for those without a technical background. The query language and dashboard building are specifically mentioned as difficult to learn.
AI Integration and Features
4 mentionsA smaller segment of reviewers, 8% (4 of 53), mentioned AI integration and features as an area for potential enhancemen…
A smaller segment of reviewers, 8% (4 of 53), mentioned AI integration and features as an area for potential enhancement. These reviewers suggest further AI enablement and integration within dataflows, with some expressing a desire for more AI-led insights.