Bing Maps Are Going Away | Convert to Azure Maps in Power BI!

In this video, Justin Vogel from Pragmatic Works explains the upcoming change in Power BI, where Microsoft is phasing out Bing Maps and replacing it with Azure Maps. If you're experiencing issues with Bing Maps not working in your Power BI reports, you're not alone. This transition is essential to stay up-to-date and supported.

Why Make the Switch?

• Bing Maps visuals will be deprecated in Power BI by the October 2025 release.
• Azure Maps is now generally available, offering a modern, secure, and feature-rich experience.
• Azure Maps is cloud-based, integrates with Azure services, and is designed for the future of Power BI.

This upgrade is crucial for those who want their reports to stay current and supported. Power BI makes this transition simple, automatically converting Bing Map visuals to Azure Maps when you open a report. You’ll see a prompt to upgrade—just click 'Upgrade Maps' and all your visuals will be converted automatically.

How to Manually Upgrade to Azure Maps

• If you prefer manual control, you can select the visual, go to the visual gallery, and choose Azure Maps.
• All your settings will carry over automatically, but note that bubble sizes may appear different as Azure Maps uses a smaller maximum bubble size than Bing Maps.

Cost and Settings for Azure Maps

• Using the built-in Azure Maps visual in Power BI is free with your Power BI license.
• Even if you input latitude and longitude, there is no additional charge, but it may improve map load speed.

Tenant Settings for Admins

If you're an admin or assisting one, you'll need to enable Azure Maps in the Power BI admin portal. You can filter for Azure settings in the portal, and it’s important to enable these options to ensure Azure Maps is fully operational. There are also settings to allow data processing outside your region, especially if Azure Maps services are unavailable locally.

Upgrading Reports to Azure Maps

When you open a report containing Bing Map visuals, you’ll receive a prompt to upgrade. Once you click "Upgrade Maps," your visuals will be converted. After upgrading, verify that bubble sizes and map layers are functioning as expected, and test the interactivity to ensure everything behaves correctly.

Bonus: Shape Map Visual

• Shape Map is ideal for displaying data by custom regions, such as sales territories or school districts.
• This visual doesn’t require an internet connection and is useful in secure environments.
• To enable the Shape Map, go to File > Options and Settings > Options, select "Preview Features," and enable it.

Conclusion

By converting your Bing Maps to Azure Maps, you ensure your reports stay modern, secure, and feature-rich. Azure Maps offers better integration with Azure services, while the Shape Map visual provides another way to display data by custom regions. Don’t forget to check the settings and ensure your tenant is prepared for this transition.

If you want to learn more about Azure Maps, check out our Azure Map Secrets Video and explore additional Power BI courses available on our platform.

Don't forget to check out the Pragmatic Works' on-demand learning platform for more insightful content and training sessions on Power BI and other Microsoft applications. Be sure to subscribe to the Pragmatic Works YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on the latest tips and tricks.