5 Limitations of Power BI

Power BI has taken the world by storm in the last few years. Many companies are using this tool to help them gain insights into their data and improve the decision making process.

As with all software it has limitations and Power BI is no exception. As a Data Analyst or Developer it is important to be aware of these limitations so that you can make an informed decision as to whether this is the right tool to address your business needs.

In this article I am going to run through some limitations of Power BI and give practical examples where possible.

1) Data Volume & Processing

Power BI is not designed to handle large volumes of data or complex processing operations. Large datasets can result in performance issues, slow rendering and long refresh times that ultimately negatively impact User Experience.

The Desktop free version can handle up to 1 GB of data per import, while the Pro version can handle up to 10 GB. For larger datasets, you will need to upgrade to a Power BI Premium subscription.

The Power BI Service may have limitations on the amount of data that can be stored or processed in the cloud and is dependent on the pricing option you have.

If you find your data set is too large and is causing performance issues, you can implement some optimisation techniques to improve the report.

Although Power Query allows us to do transformations on the data, complex data preparation and transformations are not suited for Power BI as these operations are better carried out using dedicated ETL (Extract-Transform-Load) tools.

For complex data transformations I would recommend using a tool such as SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) or Azure Data Factory as they are more suited to these types of operations.

2) Steep Learning Curve

Power BI can be challenging to learn for users who do not have experience in Data Analytics and visualisation tools. The reason for this is there are many concepts to grasp in order to become proficient with the tool such as DAX, Data Modelling and Power Query.

Mastering Power BI takes time and practice. For some tips to help you along your journey, check out one of my previous articles here.

3) Costs

Power BI has a free version that is suitable for individuals and small businesses, however paid versions are required for larger organisations with more complex data needs.

The costs can vary depending on the number of users and the features you require. Costs can vary from just a few dollars to thousands per month.

Below is a breakdown of the current Power BI pricing options available:

For a detailed breakdown on each Power BI option please click here.

4) Customisation

Power BI has a wide variety of visuals and themes that can be used to build a report, however the customisations to these components are limited.

A good example of this is the limited customisation options on the slicer visual. In a previous report I built I wanted to change the colour of the "Clear filters" option in the slicer as I was using a dark blue background.

As you can see from the image below, this was not possible and I had to stick with the default colour.

Although the above example is a minor inconvenience, it does not conform to UI best practices and negatively impacts user experience.

5) Limited Compatibility

Currently Power BI Desktop is available on Windows, iOS, and Android, but there’s no desktop version for Mac or Linux.

I have encountered this issue personally as I had to trade in my Mac work laptop for a Windows one so that I could use Power BI desktop.

You can still use the web version, but it has limited functionality, For example, you cannot create a model in the web version and not all data sources are available to connect to.

Despite these limitations, Power BI is a must have for any business that want to gain valuable insights into their data and to build user friendly reports that improve the decision making process.

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Happy developing!