As a functional consultant preparing for the PL-200 Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant exam, it is essential to understand various possible reporting options, including both Microsoft Power BI embedding and Fetch-based reporting. Each of these reporting options holds significant value, depending on specific parameters and use-cases, and it’s vital to choose the right tool according to the needs at hand.
Embedding Microsoft Power BI
Microsoft Power BI is a business analytics tool that offers interactive visualizations with business intelligence capabilities. These visual capabilities include making ad hoc queries using intuitive tools and accessing real-time insights through dashboards and various ways to access reports.
One powerful feature of Power BI is its ability to embed visual analytics in your application. With Power BI embedding, you can integrate reports, dashboards, and visuals into an application, thus offering a unified user experience.
There are generally two methods of embedding Power BI:
- Power BI Embedded:
This method is suitable for ISVs and developers who intend to provide embedded analytics in an application or service. Here, Power BI capacities are used, which are billed monthly, and the users don’t need a Power BI license.
- User Owns Data:
In this model, the final user should have a Power BI Pro license, or the content should be located in Power BI Premium Capacity. The user needs to authenticate to view the reports.
For candidates preparing for the PL-200 exam, understanding when to opt for Power BI embedded and user owns data is crucial. For instance, Power BI embedded offers a seamless experience for customers using your application, while ‘user owns data’ is best for internal users who already work with Power BI.
Fetch-based Reports
A Fetch-based report is another type of report in the Microsoft Power platform that uses FetchXML as the query language. FetchXML is a proprietary, XML-based language that is used in the platform’s web services to build queries.
Unlike Power BI, Fetch-based reports are built into the platform and do not require a separate tool or license. They are a useful option when you have complex data relationships and when the report needs to directly interact with the platform or the data in it.
Here’s a simple illustration of a Fetch-Based report. An outline of the FetchXML will look like this:
This FetchXML will generate a report showing the full name and source of each lead in the platform.
Comparison of Power BI and Fetch-based Reports
| Power BI | Fetch-Based Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Query Language | DAX, Power Query | FetchXML |
| Data Sources | Multiple data sources | Data from within the Power Platform |
| Users | Both internal users and end customers | Primarily internal users |
| Interactivity | High with dashboards and live reports | Limited to interactions with Power Platform |
| License | Requires separate Power BI license | Built into Power Platform, no additional license necessary |
In conclusion, choosing either Power BI embedded or Fetch-based reports depends largely on the specific needs of your organization. If your need calls for more interactive reporting with multiple data sources, then Power BI would be most appropriate. However, for more straightforward queries that interact directly with the Power platform, Fetch-based reports would be a more suitable option. Understanding these reporting options will aid you considerably in your preparation for the PL-200 Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant exam.
Practice Test
True/False: Fetch-based reports support complex calculations and capabilities as compared to Power BI.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Fetch-based reports do not support complex calculations and capabilities. Power BI is much more powerful in terms of calculations and capabilities.
Multiple select: Which of the following reporting options are available in Microsoft Power Platform?
- a) Power BI
- b) Fetch-based reports
- c) SSRS
- d) Microsoft Access
Answer: a, b, and c
Explanation: Power BI, Fetch-based reports, and SSRS are all reporting options in Microsoft Power platform. Microsoft Access is not a reporting option in Microsoft Power Platform.
Single Select: Which reporting tool handles real-time data better?
- a) Power BI
- b) Fetch-based reports
Answer: a) Power BI
Explanation: Power BI handles real-time data better and can provide updated visualizations almost instantly.
True/False: Fetch-based reports cannot be embedded in Power Apps.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Fetch-based reports can be run within Dynamics 365, but cannot be embedded into Power Apps.
Single Select: Which of the following can be directly imported into Power BI?
- a) Excel workbook
- b) Fetch XML
- c) SQL Server database
Answer: a) Excel workbook
Explanation: Power BI provides a way to directly import data from an Excel workbook.
True/False: You can publish Power BI reports on a webpage or in a web app.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: You can embed Power BI reports, dashboards, or tiles on a webpage or within a web app.
Multiple select: What data sources are supported for Fetch-based reports in Dynamics 365?
- a) SQL Server
- b) Dynamics 365
- c) Excel
- d) Power BI
Answer: a and b
Explanation: Fetch-based reports in Dynamics 365 support SQL Server and Dynamics 365 as data sources.
Single Select: What kind of reports is Fetch XML generally used for?
- a) Simple reports
- b) Complex reports
- c) Both
Answer: a) Simple reports
Explanation: Fetch XML is used for creating simple reports with basic charting functions.
Multiple select: Fetch-based reports support parameters at what levels?
- a) Entity
- b) System
- c) User
Answer: a, b, and c
Explanation: Fetch-based reports support the use of parameters at the entity, system, and user levels.
True/False: Fetch-based reports can be scheduled to run on a regular basis.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Fetch-based reports can indeed be scheduled to run automatically on a regular basis.
Single Select: Which of these would be ideal for complex calculations ?
- a) Power BI
- b) Fetch-based reports
Answer: a) Power BI
Explanation: Power BI can handle complex calculations and data models, making it ideal for complex analytics and forecasting.
True/False: You can create dashboards in Power BI using Fetch XML.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Fetch XML can be used as a data source for creating dashboards in Power BI.
Single Select: What prerequisite is required to share Power BI dashboards with external users?
- a) The external users must have a Power BI Pro subscription
- b) The external users must have access to your organization’s network
Answer: a) The external users must have a Power BI Pro subscription
Explanation: In order to share Power BI dashboards with external users, those users must have a Power BI Pro subscription.
True/False: Power BI supports integration with Excel and SQL Server.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Power BI does support integration with Excel and SQL Server, which allows for the importing of data and reporting.
Single Select: Which of the following reporting tools support drilling down data?
- a) Power BI
- b) Fetch-based reports
Answer: a) Power BI
Explanation: Power BI supports drill down features which allow the users to dig deeper into the data sets. Fetch-based reports do not support drill down features.
Interview Questions
1. What does Microsoft Power BI allow you to do?
Microsoft Power BI allows you to visualize data by creating interactive reports and dashboards which simplify data analysis.
2. What type of reports is the Fetch-based reporting system used for within the Microsoft Power Platform?
Fetch-based reporting is used primarily for creating CRM reports on the Microsoft Power Platform.
3. How can you embed a Power BI report?
You can embed a Power BI report by acquiring embed codes from current reports or dashboards from the Power BI service. These can be used in a webpage, application, or blog.
4. Why might you choose to use Fetch-based reports instead of Power BI reports?
You might choose to use Fetch-based reports when you need to create custom CRM reports or when the data you need isn’t accessible or suited for Power BI.
5. What does FetchXML allow you to do within Power Platform?
FetchXML allows users to build complex queries that are not easily achieved with the standard Power BI Query.
6. Can you embed Power BI reports within Dynamics 365?
Yes, you are able to embed Power BI reports within Dynamics 365.
7. In what format do Fetch-based reports display data?
Fetch-based reports display the data in a tabular format and can also include charts and graphs depending on the requirements.
8. How are FetchXML and Power BI different in terms of ease-of-use?
Power BI is generally considered more user-friendly, offering a visually appealing interface and drag-and-drop features. FetchXML requires more technical knowledge to use.
9. What steps would you take to embed a Power BI report in a webpage?
You would have to first publish the report in Power BI Service, generate an embed code and then include this code in the HTML of the webpage.
10. Can you create a real-time report using FetchXML?
No, FetchXML does not support real-time reporting. You may need to refresh or reload the page to get the latest data.
11. Can you summarize data in Fetch-based reports through grouping and counting?
Yes, FetchXML supports aggregation commands such as sum, count, avg, max, and min to group and summarize data.
12. Does Power BI allow sharing of reports and dashboards with people outside the organization?
Yes, Power BI does possess the ability to share reports and dashboards externally by publishing to the web or by distributing Power BI apps to external guest users.
13. Is it possible to perform complex data manipulation in Power BI?
Yes, Power BI offers a feature called Power Query that allows users to clean, transform and reshape your data
14. Is security a concern when embedding Power BI reports?
No, Power BI provides Row-Level Security (RLS) that allows you to control data access at the row level based on user roles and responsibilities.
15. Does the Fetch-based reporting tool support offline usage?
No, Fetch-based reports do not support offline usage, they require an internet connection.
extutorials.com