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Getting Started with Power BI (and Power BI Pro)

Power BI is a tool from Microsoft that helps people work with data. It lets you take information from different sources—like Excel files, databases, or online services—and turn it into charts, graphs, and dashboards. These visuals make it easier to understand patterns, trends, and numbers. Power BI is often used to organize and explore data in a clear, interactive way.

Power BI Access at McMaster University

McMaster University offers complimentary access to Microsoft Power BI in two versions, each designed to meet the needs of different members of our community. Whether you’re analyzing data for academic research, administrative reporting, or personal learning, there’s a version of Power BI available to support your work.

  • Power BI Pro: Complimentary access is now available to nearly all McMaster staff, faculty, and employees. This version includes advanced features for collaboration, sharing, and publishing reports across the organization.
  • Power BI: All undergraduate and graduate students have access to the standard version of Power BI, ideal for personal data analysis, academic projects, and learning how to build interactive reports.

Select the version that applies to you below to get started.
Note: Power BI Pro is accessible via the web only

Power BI

Power BI is available to all active McMaster students, staff and faculty and can be accessed via desktop download or online access. Select your option below.

Power BI Desktop Download:
Begin Download.

Power BI Online Access:
Access the online app.

Power BI Pro Access Power BI Online

As a staff, faculty member, or employee at McMaster University, you likely have complimentary access to Microsoft Power BI Pro.

Not sure if you have Pro?
In Power BI, click the ‘Account Manager’ button in the top-right corner of the page. Under ‘License Type’, you’ll see ‘Pro.’

(Note: Graduate/Undergraduate students are not eligible for a Power Bi Pro license.)

More about Power BI & Power BI Pro

Need Power BI Pro?
If your account doesn’t include Power BI Pro, you can request a license via the link below.
Please note that additional costs will apply.

Request a Power BI Pro License via the UTS Service Desk:
Read the ‘Terms of Service’ and request a Power BI Pro license.

Power BI

  • Allows users to create, view, and export reports and dashboards for personal use.
  • Ideal for individual data analysis and report building on the desktop or online.
  • Reports can be shared by exporting to formats like PDF or PowerPoint, but cannot be shared interactively with others through the Power BI service

Accessible to: Graduate & Undergraduate students.

Power BI Pro

  • Includes all the features of the free version plus the ability to share reports and dashboards interactively with others within the organization.
  • Enables collaboration, publishing to workspaces, and access to shared content in the Power BI service.
  • Required for users who need to publish to the Power BI service, collaborate in workspaces, or consume content shared by others.

Accessible to: Most staff, faculty and employees.