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Power BI & Python Integration

Introduction​

This guide is designed to walk you through the process of integrating Python into Power BI, a synergy that unlocks a new realm of possibilities for data analysis and business intelligence.

Prerequisites​

  1. Install Python: Ensure python is installed on your computer.

  2. Install Power BI Desktop: If you haven’t already, install Power BI desktop from the Microsoft Store.

Step-by-Step Guide​

Setting Up Python in Power BI​

  1. Open Power BI Desktop.

  2. Go to Options: In the top menu, click on File then Options and settings and select Options

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  1. Python Scripting Settings: In the Options window, navigate to the Python scripting section. Here, you can specify the Python home directory and the IDE to be used.

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Using Python in Power BI​

Get and Model Data with Python​

  1. Click Home, then Get Data and select Python script.

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  1. Enter your python script to retrieve and model data. For example, you could use pandas to read CSV file and import relevant machine learning libraries to create a predictive model.

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  1. Once the script is executed, you can select the Data Frame you want load to the Power BI model. Once selected, click Load to finalise or Transform Data if you want to transform the data further using Power Query.

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Python Visuals​

  1. In the report view, select Python visual icon in the Visualisations pane.

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  1. Add the data fields you want to include in your Python script.

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  1. A Python script editor will open at the bottom where you can write your script to create a visual. Libraries like matplotlib and seaborn can be used here.

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  1. Once you added your python script, click the play button in the top right-hand corner and your visual will render.

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Useful Resources​