Do you want to know what a PBIT file is?

What is a PBIT File

A PBIT file stands for Power BI Template file, a feature of Microsoft's Power BI, a business analytics tool designed for visualizing data and sharing insights. While a standard PBIX file contains both the data model and the visualizations, a PBIT file is somewhat like a blueprint of the PBIX file.A PBIT file stands for Power BI Template file, a feature of Microsoft's Power BI, a business analytics tool designed for visualizing data and sharing insights. While a standard PBIX file contains both the data model and the visualizations, a PBIT file is somewhat like a blueprint of the PBIX file.

By Toni Hewlett -

13th September 2023 - fp20 analytics

Key Features

1. Parameterized Setup: A PBIT file can include parameters that allow you to input specific settings every time you create a new PBIX file from the template. This is useful for making templates adaptable to different datasets or settings.

2. No Data Storage: Unlike PBIX files, PBIT files do not store the data within the file. This makes them lightweight and easier to share.

3. Easy Customization: By using a PBIT file, you can have a predefined set of queries, data model configurations, and visualizations, which speeds up report creation. You can customize them further as per the requirements.

4. Enhanced Security: Since PBIT files do not contain data, the risk of sensitive data leakage is reduced.

Use Cases

1. Creating standard report layouts for an organization.

2. Sharing query logic and visual designs without sharing the actual data.

3. Kickstarting projects by using a predefine set of tables, measures, and visualizations.

How to convert and existing PBIX report to a generic PBIT template

While the primary use case for PBIT files often revolves around enhancing security through template sharing, an often overlooked yet substantial advantage is its role in data governance. This format allows organizations to standardize reporting structures without exposing sensitive data, thereby contributing to robust governance protocols. Now, let's dive into the steps to convert an existing PBIX report into a more generic PBIT template.

1. Open the existing PBIX file in Power BI Desktop.

2. Disconnect data sources & others ad-hoc tables. Right Click & Delete.

3. Remove specific measures or filters applied to Visuals or Report.

From Power Query

From the Report Model view

Click the 3 ellpses and delete

Remove any measures, calculated columns, or filters applied to the visuals that are specific to the original dataset to avoid errors when opening the template with a different dataset.

4. Remove Object titles.

Scan through your report and remove titles from tables, charts, and other visual objects. This ensures that the template remains neutral and free from context specific to the original dataset.

Format Pane

5. Update Visualizations.

If your report is using custom visualizations, you may want to remove them and replace them with Power BI visualizations.

Custom Visuals

6. Add Parameters.

Add any parameters that you think would be useful for the template. Parameters can be used to prompt the user for certain settings or information when they create a new report from the template.

7. Review.

Ensure that all the elements are generic enough so that they won't cause errors when someone tries to use the template with a different dataset.

8. Save the file as Template.

Ensure that all the elements are generic enough so that they won't cause errors when someone tries to use the template with a different dataset. Named and Saved as PBIT.

Open the PBIT File

After saving, open the newly created PBIT file to ensure it doesn't throw errors and prompts for parameters, if any were added. By following these steps, you can convert an existing Power BI report into a generic template. This allows you to share the structure, layout, and design of your report without being tied to a specific dataset or measures.

9. Test theTemplate.

Double-click the .PBIT file, or open Power BI Desktop and click on File > Open and select the PBIT file. This will open a new report in Power BI Desktop.

1. Enter parameters values.

If the template has parameters, a window will open asking for the parameter values. Enter the required values and click Load. If there are no parameters, this step will be skipped, and Power BI will proceed to load the data.

2. Connect to the Data source.

The PBIT file contains the queries to retrieve and load data but not the data itself. So, you will need to connect to the data source. If the data source connection requires credentials, you will be prompted to enter them.

3. Refresh the Data.

Once you've connected to the data source, you may need to refresh the data. To do this, click on Home > Refresh on the Power BI menu.

4. Explore and modify the report.

You can now explore the report, taking note of the sample visuals that have been included. These visuals serve as placeholders and examples of the report layout, color scheme, and font.

5. Updating the Visuals.

To update these visuals with your data, select a visual and go to the Data pane on the right-hand side. Here, you can drag and drop fields from your dataset to populate the visuals.

6. Modifying the report.

You can also modify the report as needed, such as adding or removing visuals, changing filters, or modifying the data queries.

7. Save the report.

Once you've made any changes, be sure to save the report. Since you've opened a template, Power BI will prompt you to save it as a new PBIX file, preserving the original PBIT template file.

Conclusion

Utilizing PBIT files in Power BI offers multiple benefits such as streamlined templating for consistent report structures and reduced file sizes for easier sharing. They also allow dynamic connection to various data sources and expedite the development process by preloading queries, measures, and visuals. Additionally, PBIT files are ideal for version control, making them versatile and efficient for evolving business needs.