Creating and distributing paginated reports in Power BI report builder is an essential functionality that aspiring data engineers need to master for the DP-500 Exam: Designing and Implementing Enterprise-Scale Analytics Solutions Using Microsoft Azure and Power BI. Power BI report builder allows you to create paginated reports optimized for printing or generating PDF documents. These reports are also known as ‘pixel-perfect’ reports because you can control their exact page layout.
What is Paginated Report?
A paginated report is a report that is designed in a traditional report format, displaying the detailed data in a tabular or matrix format. This report is optimized for performance with large datasets and allows for a highly customizable report layout.
Creating a Paginated Report
- Opening Power BI Report Builder:
- Connecting to a Data Source:
- Creating a Dataset:
- Designing the Report:
- Run the report:
To start, open Power BI Report Builder. Here, you can choose to create a new paginated report or modify an existing one. For instance, to create a new paginated report, click on ‘New Report,’ and then ‘Blank Report.’
Next, you should establish a connection to your data source. This could be a database, a data warehouse, or an online data service. Power BI Report Builder supports various data sources including SQL Server, Oracle, Azure, OData feed, and more.
After you’ve established a connection to the data source, you must create a dataset. Datasets contain the queries that return the data used in the report.
This is where you can add tables, graphs, and images to your report. You can use the matrix data region to create a paginated report with rows and columns that expand to display additional information.
Once you are satisfied with the design of your report, click on the Run to preview it. In this view, you can interact with the report, including sorting and searching for specific data.
Distributing Paginated Reports in Power BI
Microsoft Power BI enables report distribution via an email subscription or by publishing to a workspace where individuals can access reports based on their individual permissions.
Subscription
- Navigate to the report you want to subscribe to.
- Click on the “Subscribe” button.
- In the ‘New subscription’ panel, set the appropriate frequency and decide on the format in which you want to receive your report (PDF or PowerPoint).
Publish to a workspace
- From ‘File’, select ‘Save As’, and then ‘Power BI Service’.
- Choose the workspace where you would like to publish your report.
Whether publishing or subscribing, ensure that your report viewers have the correct permissions to access the Power BI reports.
In this overview, we have covered how to create and distribute paginated reports using Power BI Report Builder. As seen, the Report Builder is an extremely flexible tool, enabling you to transform complex data into easy-to-understand, shareable reports. For individuals preparing for the DP-500 exam, understanding the use of Power BI Report Builder to create paginated reports among other functionalities is a crucial step in achieving certification.
Practice Test
True/False: Power BI Report Builder is used to create paginated reports.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Power BI Report Builder, a standalone tool, is used to create reports that are optimized for consistent layout, pagination, and printing.
Which of the following actions are required to distribute paginated reports in Power BI?
- A) Publishing the report to the Power BI service.
- B) Sharing the report with users.
- C) Creating a dashboard.
- D) Creating a report in Power BI Report Builder.
Answer: A, B, D
Explanation: To distribute paginated reports, you must create the report in Power BI Report Builder, publish it to Power BI service and share with users.
True/False: In Power BI, paginated reports are optimized to fit the screen and provide an interactive exploration experience.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Interactive reports best suited for screen and exploration are built using Power BI Desktop. In contrast, paginated reports are optimized for a consistent layout and printing.
Power BI paginated reports can be exported to which of the following formats?
- A) PDF
- B) Word
- C) Excel
- D) Video
Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: Power BI paginated reports can be exported to a number of formats such as PDF, Word, and Excel, but not Video.
True or False: You can create subscriptions for paginated reports in Power BI.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: With Power BI Premium or Power BI Pro, it’s possible to set up subscriptions for yourself and others to receive paginated reports by email.
Which of the following is NOT a feature of Power BI Report Builder?
- A) Master-detail reports
- B) Subreports
- C) Drillthrough reports
- D) Animated graphics
Answer: D) Animated graphics
Explanation: Animated graphics are not supported in Power BI Report Builder. Its main features are master-detail reports, subreports, and drillthrough reports.
True or False: Power BI Report Builder can connect to data using Power Query.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Power BI Report Builder connects to data using Report Builder data connections, but it does not support Power Query as a data source.
Paginated reports in Power BI are mainly used for _____.
- A) Interactive exploration
- B) Consistent layout and printing
- C) Quick insights
- D) Real-time data monitoring
Answer: B) Consistent layout and printing
Explanation: Paginated reports are designed for a consistent layout across pages and are typically used for printing or generating a PDF.
True or False: Power BI Report Builder supports shared datasets.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Power BI Report Builder can connect to Power BI shared datasets, allowing for reusability of datasets across different reports.
Can a Power BI report be embedded in a paginated report?
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: While you can create a range of reports with Power BI Report Builder, it does not support embedding a Power BI report in a paginated report.
Interview Questions
What is the Power BI Report Builder?
Power BI Report Builder is a tool from Microsoft designed for creating paginated reports in Power BI. It allows users to create, view, and distribute reports across the enterprise.
In which format can paginated reports be exported?
Paginated reports can be exported to various formats like PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, or CSV files.
What is the main feature of paginated reports in Power BI Report Builder?
The main feature is the ability to create exact formatting, high printable quality, and large reports optimized to be maintained on a page-by-page basis.
What is the Role Level Security in Power BI Report Builder?
Role Level Security (RLS) in Power BI allows you to restrict data access at the row level based on specific roles assigned to different users or groups.
What component of Power BI service can be used for distributing paginated reports?
Power BI service’s distribution capabilities can be done through Power BI apps, email subscriptions, or embedding on webpages.
How can parameters be used in Power BI Report Builder?
Parameters can be used in Power BI Report Builder to create flexible and customizable reports. They can control the content or appearance of a report according to user inputs.
Can you use the same datasets in Power BI Report Builder that are used in the Power BI service?
Yes, shared datasets published to the Power BI service can be used in Power BI Report Builder.
Do you need a Power BI pro license to publish reports from Power BI Report Builder to the Power BI service?
Yes, a Power BI pro license is required for publishing reports from Power BI Report Builder to the Power BI service.
What programming language is primarily used in Power BI Report Builder for defining expressions?
The primary programming language used in Power BI Report Builder to define expressions is Visual Basic.
What are the two types of datasets you can connect with Power BI Report Builder?
In Power BI Report Builder, you can connect to Power BI datasets and Power BI shared datasets.
What do you use in Power BI Report Builder to create a paginated report with a map?
You can use Map Wizard in the Power BI Report Builder to create paginated reports with maps.
How many pages can you have in a paginated report in Power BI Report Builder?
A paginated report in Power BI Report Builder can have unlimited pages.
How is the query design process handled in Power BI Report Builder?
The query design process in Power BI Report Builder is handled by the Query Designer, a graphical interface for designing queries.
What controls are available in Power BI Report Builder to display data?
In Power BI Report Builder, you can use a variety of controls like tables, matrices, lists, charts, and gauges to display data.
How can you define the data source for a paginated report in Power BI Report Builder?
You define the data source for a paginated report in Power BI Report Builder under the “Data Sources” properties in the Report Data pane.
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