NEW Power BI Desktop Home (and how to change it back to the old style)

Allison Gonzalez, a Microsoft Certified Trainer at Pragmatic Works, explores the latest changes to the Power BI Desktop Home experience introduced in the February 2024 update. In this video, she provides a comprehensive overview of the updated home screen, its benefits, and how to revert to the previous view if preferred.

Overview of the New Power BI Desktop Home

The February 2024 update to Power BI Desktop introduced a redesigned home screen aimed at improving accessibility and productivity for report editors. Upon launching Power BI Desktop, users are now greeted with a refreshed interface instead of being immediately directed to a blank report. Key features include:

• Quick Access to Recent Reports: The home screen prioritizes recent reports, making it easier for users focused on modifying existing reports.
• New Report Button: A dedicated "New Report" button allows users to start a new blank report quickly.
• Streamlined Navigation: Options and settings are now placed on the left-side navigation bar for more intuitive access.

Who Benefits Most from the New Home Screen?

Alison highlights that the new Power BI home interface is particularly useful for users who primarily work with existing reports rather than creating new ones from scratch. The design minimizes navigation time when reopening frequently used files, making it ideal for report editors and data analysts.

Enabling the New Power BI Home

While the update is being rolled out by default, users can manually enable the new home screen if it hasn’t been activated yet. Here's how:

1. Open Power BI Desktop.
2. Navigate to File > Options and Settings > Options.
3. Scroll down to Preview Features.
4. Enable the Power BI Home (Desktop) option.
5. Restart Power BI Desktop for the changes to take effect.

How to Revert to the Old Power BI Desktop View

For users who prefer the classic Power BI experience, Alison explains how to switch back:

1. Go to File > Options and Settings > Options.
2. Select Preview Features.
3. Uncheck the Power BI Home (Desktop) option.
4. Restart Power BI Desktop to revert to the old view.

This process provides flexibility for those who prefer the older layout, especially users who create reports frequently and want faster access to a blank report canvas.

Pros and Cons of the New Home View

Alison discusses both the advantages and potential drawbacks of the redesigned home interface:

Pros:

• Improved organization with recent reports prioritized.
• Ideal for users who primarily modify existing reports.
• Enhanced navigation with streamlined options placement.

Cons:

• Additional clicks required for creating new reports.
• Change in workflow may feel disruptive for frequent report creators.

Final Thoughts

While the new Power BI Desktop Home is still in its preview phase, Alison emphasizes that it will likely become the default interface in future releases. She encourages users to get familiar with the changes early to stay ahead of the curve. Ultimately, whether you love it or prefer the old style, the update offers flexibility by allowing users to switch between both views.

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.