Starting with the 1.0.0-beta.7 release, `pbi-tools` is available in two editions: Desktop and Core. This page explains the differences and provides guidance choosing the right edition for your scenario.
How to chose? - pbi-tools Desktop vs Core
- Use Desktop edition on a Windows workstation in conjunction with Power BI Desktop.
- Use Core edition in any unattended scenario, specifically a CI/CD server.
- Use Core edition on a Windows workstation in order to test run deployment manifests. (Desktop and Core editions can run in parallel and can be installed into the same folder.)
Feature Comparison
| Desktop | Core | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 64-Bit only | Linux, Windows, MacOS 64-Bit (MacOS version would need to be built from source, Linux and Windows builds are provided on https://github.com/pbi-tools/pbi-tools/releases) |
| Prerequisites | .Net Framework 4.7.2, Power BI Desktop (Store, MSI, or Custom install folder via PBITOOLS_PbiInstallDir) |
.Net 6.0 |
extract |
Fully supported. | Not supported. Planned for report-only PBIX. |
compile |
PBIX from report-only sources, PBIT from Report+Model. Relies on Power BI Desktop | PBIX from report-only sources, PBIT from Report+Model. No dependency on Power BI Desktop |
deploy |
Fully supported. The Report/File mode implicitly relies on the compile action, hence the notes above apply. |
Fully supported. |
generate-bim |
Fully supported. | -generateDataSources option is not supported. |
export-data |
Fully supported. | Only supports exporting from a live PBI Desktop session via -port arg. |
convert |
Fully supported. | Fully supported. |
init |
Fully supported. | Fully supported. |
git |
Fully supported. | Fully supported. |
info |
Fully supported. | Does not return pbiBuildVersion, pbiInstalls, pbiSessions. |
launch-pbi |
Not supported for Microsoft Store version. | N/A |
cache |
Fully supported. | N/A |