Embedding Power BI Reports in Websites and Applications: A Complete Guide

Embedding Power BI Reports in Websites and Applications: A Complete Guide

Introduction

Embedding Power BI reports in websites and applications is a powerful way to share interactive data visualizations with a broader audience. Whether you want to embed a report for internal users, customers, or the general public, Power BI provides several options to make this process seamless. In this guide, we will walk you through the various embedding options and the steps required to embed Power BI reports in your web pages or custom apps.

1. Why Embed Power BI Reports?

Embedding Power BI reports offers several benefits:

  • Increased Accessibility: Allow users to view and interact with reports without needing to access Power BI Service directly.
  • Enhanced User Experience: Integrate data insights directly within your application or website for a seamless user experience.
  • Improved Data Sharing: Share valuable insights with users outside your organization, such as clients or partners, in a secure and controlled environment.

2. Options for Embedding Power BI Reports

Power BI offers several embedding options based on your needs and target audience:

  • Embed for Your Organization: Embed reports for internal users who have Power BI Pro licenses or are part of your organization.
  • Embed for Public Access: Share reports publicly on websites without requiring authentication. Best for non-sensitive reports.
  • Power BI Embedded for Apps: Embed reports in custom applications or web services for external users, ideal for ISVs (Independent Software Vendors).

Let's explore these options in more detail.

3. Embedding Power BI Reports for Your Organization

This option allows you to embed reports for users within your organization. Users must have access to Power BI Service and appropriate permissions to view the reports.

Steps for Embedding Power BI Reports for Your Organization:

  1. Open the Report in Power BI Service:

    • Navigate to the report you want to embed in Power BI Service.

  2. Get the Embed Code:

    • Click on the “File” menu, select “Embed Report,” and choose “Publish to Web.”
    • Alternatively, go to “Embed,” and select “Embed in SharePoint Online” or “Secure Embed.”

  3. Copy the Embed Code:

    • Power BI will generate an iframe code that you can embed into your website or web application.

  4. Embed in Your Website or Application:

    • Paste the iframe code into your HTML or CMS platform.

Important Notes:

  • This method is secure and requires users to sign in with their Power BI credentials.
  • You can control who has access to the embedded reports through Power BI’s access control settings.

4. Embedding Power BI Reports for Public Access

Power BI also provides a way to embed reports for public access, where authentication is not required. This is useful for sharing non-sensitive reports on websites or blogs.

Steps for Embedding Public Power BI Reports:

  1. Open the Report in Power BI Service:

    • Navigate to the report in Power BI Service.

  2. Publish the Report to the Web:

    • Go to “File” > “Embed Report” > “Publish to Web.”
    • Power BI will generate an HTML iframe code.

  3. Copy and Paste the Code:

    • Paste the iframe code into your website’s HTML.
Important Notes:
  • This option does not provide security controls. Anyone with the link can view the report.
  • Public embed is recommended only for non-sensitive data and open reports.

5. Embedding Power BI Reports Using Power BI Embedded (for External Applications)

Power BI Embedded allows you to integrate fully interactive Power BI reports into custom applications or web services. It is best suited for ISVs or developers building data-driven applications for external users.

Key Benefits:

  • Embed reports, dashboards, and tiles within custom applications.
  • No Power BI Pro license required for end-users.
  • Control access via application authentication and token management.

Steps for Embedding Power BI Using Power BI Embedded:

  1. Set Up Power BI Embedded in Azure:

    • Go to the Azure portal and create a Power BI Embedded resource.
    • Assign your application an identity that will be used to generate authentication tokens.

  2. Generate Embed Tokens:

    • Use the Power BI REST API to generate an embed token. The embed token ensures that only authorized users can view the report.
    • You can create row-level security (RLS) to restrict data access based on user roles.

  3. Embed the Report in Your Application:

    • Use the Power BI JavaScript SDK to embed the report into your application.
    • Pass the embed token along with the report URL to display the report in the app.

Important Notes:

  • Power BI Embedded requires a subscription through Azure, and pricing is based on the capacity and usage.
  • You can manage access and user authentication with custom solutions integrated into your app.

6. Best Practices for Embedding Power BI Reports

Optimize Report Performance

  • Limit the number of visuals on a report page.
  • Use Import mode for faster loading of large datasets.
  • Implement aggregations and calculations in the dataset instead of visuals.

Ensure Report Security

  • If embedding for public access, ensure that no sensitive data is included.
  • For embedding within your organization or applications, use role-based access control (RBAC) and row-level security (RLS).

Customize User Experience

  • Use the Power BI JavaScript SDK to customize the look and feel of the embedded reports to match your application's branding.
  • Provide intuitive filters and navigation options to enhance user interaction.

7. Use Cases for Embedding Power BI Reports

  • Internal Business Applications: Embed sales reports in CRM systems to provide real-time insights to sales teams.
  • Customer Portals: Embed usage dashboards in customer portals, allowing clients to track their own data and metrics.
  • Public Websites: Embed interactive reports on a public website to showcase company performance or research findings.

Conclusion

Embedding Power BI reports in websites and applications provides a flexible, powerful way to share data insights with a broader audience. Whether you’re embedding reports for internal teams, external clients, or the general public, Power BI offers secure and customizable options to fit your needs.

By following the steps outlined in this blog, you can seamlessly integrate Power BI reports into your websites and applications, creating an interactive, data-driven experience for your users.

Call to Action

If you found this introduction helpful, be sure to subscribe to ANMOLPOWERBICORNER for more in-depth tutorials and tips on Power BI. 

If you want to know any other detail related to the Power BI, then feel free to reach out to me on Anmol Malviya LinkedIn. 

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