Contents

1 Key Highlights from the Update
2 Video Recap: Power BI July 2025 Overview
3 How to Use These Features – Action Points
4 Final Thoughts

Power BI just keeps on getting better!

This time round, they are celebrating the platform’s 10th anniversary with a host of useful updates.

This release introduces improvements across AI capabilities, Microsoft 365 integration, reporting tools, and enterprise features.

To keep our Power BI courses relevant and up-to-date, we always keep on top of new updates.

Key Highlights from the Update

1. Deeper Microsoft 365 Integration

Power BI content now shares enriched metadata like chart titles, report descriptions, and refresh timestamps with Microsoft 365.

This improves discoverability via tools like Teams, Outlook, and Microsoft Search, allowing users to quickly find the insights they need.

2. Copilot & AI Enhancements

Smarter Context: Copilot now uses curated visuals and data models to generate more relevant, context-aware answers.
Verified Answers: Creators can predefine trustworthy question-and-answer pairs, boosting confidence in AI-generated insights.
Scoped Access: Admins can limit Copilot’s data sources to ensure AI only pulls from approved content.
Narrative Summaries: Power BI now adds text-based summaries to email subscriptions and in-report chat, making insights easier to understand.

3. Unified Reporting with PBIRS

Power BI Report Server (PBIRS) is now the standard for on-prem reporting as part of SQL Server 2025.

This merges the legacy SSRS environment with Power BI’s capabilities, simplifying reporting infrastructure.

4. Reporting & Visualization Tools

Field Parameters (General Availability): Empower users to dynamically swap measures or dimensions within visuals.
ORDER BY in Visual Calculations (Preview): Allows more intuitive sorting and analytical calculations in visualizations.
Organizational Themes (Preview): Admins can roll out branded themes across Desktop and the Power BI Service for consistent styling.
Improved Pie & Donut Charts: Updates improve formatting, accessibility, and consistency across visuals.

5. Modelling & Data Connectivity

View Switcher: Easily toggle between DAX query view and model view in Power BI Service.
Direct Lake Models: Build models directly from mirrored or SQL-based datasets using OneLake.
New Connectors: Early access support for Databricks, Google BigQuery, and Netezza; PostgreSQL now supports Entra ID authentication.

6. Mobile & Dev Features

Mobile home screens now feature faster access to recent and pinned reports.
New PBIR (Power BI Report) format enhancements streamline version control and DevOps workflows.

Video Recap: Power BI July 2025 Overview

How to Use These Features – Action Points

For Analysts and Report Creators

Use field parameters to create customizable dashboards.
Apply organizational themes for visual consistency.
Implement ORDER BY sorting for dynamic, user-driven insights.

For IT Teams and Admins

Transition to PBIRS for unified reporting workflows.
Configure Copilot’s access and validate key answers to enhance AI governance.
Enable and test new data connectors for broader data sourcing.

For Business Users

Take advantage of Copilot’s text summaries and improved search to surface insights faster.
Use Microsoft 365 integration to locate relevant Power BI content across Teams, Outlook, and beyond.

Final Thoughts

This update signals Power BI’s continued evolution toward a more intelligent, integrated, and user-centric analytics platform.

Whether you’re a developer, business analyst, or casual user:

The July 2025 features streamline workflows, improve governance, and enhance the way insights are discovered and shared.