We are often asked whether it is possible to add additional data to the model or dataset in Power BI, or to edit existing data. Power BI itself is a data visualization tool, which does allow you to illustrate a target using a chart, for example. However, adding or editing data in a model or database can also be useful in certain cases, such as when dealing with budgets (if they aren’t included in the source) or sales targets. With the integration of Power Apps into Power BI, this is also possible.
Power Apps
Power Apps is a “low-code” tool from Microsoft that makes it easy to build mobile and web apps. Power Apps can connect to many different data sources to add and edit data. A good example of this is an app for updating sales managers’ targets. These targets can then be compared to current sales figures in Power BI. It’s a simple way to enable data entry and visualization within a single environment.
Power Automate
While Power Apps is easy to use—in part because it’s so simple to develop an app—it does have some limitations. It’s very easy to edit data in a table within an SQL database, but more advanced operations, such as using triggers and procedures, aren’t possible. This can be addressed using Power Automate. In Power Automate, you can create workflows to perform more complex data operations. These flows can then be called within Power Apps and Power BI.
Power BI Integration
With the “Power Apps for Power BI” and “Power Automate for Power BI” visualizations, you can integrate the apps and flows created in the various tools into Power BI. This also makes it possible to use data from Power BI as input for the app or flow. Using this feature works essentially the same way as using any other visualization.
Costs
Power Apps and Power Automate are free to use at the basic level. However, you’ll soon find that you’ll need premium features. You can edit Excel and CSV files, but connecting to an SQL Server database is a premium feature. Depending on the features you need, you can purchase a subscription per app, per user, or per active user.
Conclusion
With Power Apps and Power Automate, you can enrich your data from Power BI. Creating the apps and flows is very simple, making them a great alternative to the familiar CSV and Excel files containing targets and budgets. Advanced editing is also possible, but that does require a bit more knowledge and expertise, as well as the use of Power Automate.
