How to Install Power BI Desktop on Mac

Trying to install Power BI Desktop on your Mac can be frustrating, especially when you realize there’s no official macOS version. The good news is that you can get the full-featured Windows application running on your Mac without much trouble. This tutorial will walk you through the most reliable methods to get you building reports and dashboards in no time.

Why Isn't There a Power BI App for Mac?

Before we jump into the solutions, it helps to understand why this workaround is necessary. Power BI Desktop is a core part of the Microsoft ecosystem and was built from the ground up using frameworks that are specific to the Windows operating system. Because it’s so deeply integrated with Windows technologies, creating a native macOS version would require a complete rebuild of the application.

While Microsoft hasn't released a Mac version of the Desktop authoring tool, this doesn't mean you're locked out. Thousands of data analysts, marketers, and business owners use Power BI on their Macs every day using the reliable methods we’ll cover below.

Method 1: Use a Virtual Machine

One of the most popular and powerful ways to run Windows software on a Mac is by using a virtual machine (VM). A VM is essentially a full-fledged computer running inside an app on your Mac. It allows you to install and run the entire Windows operating system, so you can download and use Power BI just like you would on a PC.

Pros:

• You get a complete, unrestricted Windows environment.
• Performance is excellent on modern Macs, especially those with Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3 chips).
• Once set up, it's a stable and reliable solution for day-to-day work.

Cons:

• It requires purchasing a Windows license.
• It can use a significant amount of your Mac’s RAM and disk space.

Step 1: Choose Your Virtual Machine Software

There are several great VM applications for Mac. Here are the top three choices:

• Parallels Desktop: This is arguably the most user-friendly and tightly integrated option for Mac users. Its "Coherence Mode" lets you run Windows apps like Power BI right alongside your Mac apps, making them feel native. It’s a paid product but offers a free trial.
• VMware Fusion: A long-time industry standard, VMware is a powerful and reliable alternative to Parallels. Many larger organizations use VMware products, so it might be a familiar name if you work in an enterprise environment. There is a free Personal Use license available.
• Oracle VM VirtualBox: This is a free, open-source option. While it's powerful, it can be slightly less user-friendly to set up and may not offer the same level of seamless integration as Parallels or VMware.

Step 2: Obtain a Windows License

To use Windows in a VM, you'll need a legitimate license. You can purchase a license for Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro directly from the Microsoft store. Your VM software will often guide you to purchase one during setup.

Heads up for Apple Silicon Mac users: You will specifically need to install Windows 11 on ARM. Don’t worry, this version of Windows has a built-in compatibility layer that allows it to run most standard Windows applications, including Power BI Desktop, without any issues. Setup assistants in Parallels or VMware will handle this for you automatically.

Step 3: Install Windows Inside Your VM

Once you’ve downloaded your chosen VM software, the installation process for Windows is surprisingly simple. For this example, we’ll use Parallels, as it automates almost the entire process.

1. Open Parallels Desktop. It will immediately show an Installation Assistant screen.
2. If you're on a newer Mac, it will default to the option to "Get Windows 11 from Microsoft." Click Continue.
3. Parallels will automatically download the correct version of Windows for you. Once it's done, it will ask for a license key. You can enter one now or proceed without one to enter it later (Windows will run in an unactivated state).
4. The software will then install Windows. This can take a few minutes. Once it is complete, you'll see a full Windows desktop right there in a window on your Mac.

Step 4: Install Power BI Desktop

Now for the easy part! With your Windows VM running, the process is exactly the same as it would be on any PC:

1. Inside your Windows VM, open the Microsoft Edge web browser.
2. Navigate to the official Power BI Desktop download page.
3. Click the download button. You will be redirected to the Microsoft Store or given a direct file download.
4. Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
5. That's it! You can now launch Power BI Desktop from the Windows Start Menu and start building your reports.

If you're using Parallels, try turning on Coherence Mode. Power BI will pop out of the Windows desktop window and float on your Mac desktop just like a native Mac app. You can even add it to your Mac's Dock for easy access.

Method 2: Use a Cloud PC with Windows 365

If you don't want to dedicate your Mac’s resources to running a VM, another excellent option is a Cloud PC. Microsoft's Windows 365 service provides you with a full, personal Windows computer that you stream from the cloud to your Mac.

Pros:

• Doesn't use your local Mac resources (RAM, CPU, disk space).
• Accessible from any device, not just your Mac.
• Managed and secured by Microsoft.

Cons:

• Requires a monthly subscription.
• Performance is dependent on your internet connection speed.

How It Works

1. Sign Up for Windows 365: You’ll first need to subscribe to a Windows 365 plan. Microsoft offers different tiers based on the virtual CPU, RAM, and storage you need for your cloud-based PC. For most Power BI tasks, a standard plan will work great.
2. Access Your Cloud PC: You can connect to your Cloud PC in two easy ways:
3. Install Power BI Desktop: Once you're connected to your Cloud PC, you simply open the Edge browser inside that environment, go to the Power BI download page, and install it just as described in the VM section above. The experience is identical to using a physical PC.

Don't Forget About the Power BI Service

It's important to distinguish between Power BI Desktop and the Power BI Service.

• Power BI Desktop: This is the free, Windows-only authoring tool used to design, create, and publish reports. This is what you need the installation workarounds for.
• Power BI Service: This is the cloud-based platform (app.powerbi.com) where published reports are shared, viewed, and managed.

You can access the Power BI Service from any web browser on any operating system, including macOS. If your main job is to review, comment on, or explore reports that someone else has already built and published, you don't need to install anything. You can simply log in to your company's Power BI Service portal using Safari, Chrome, or Firefox on your Mac.

Other Common Questions

What about Apple's Boot Camp?

Boot Camp was a utility on older, Intel-based Macs that let you partition your hard drive and install Windows to run natively. This is not an option for modern Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3 chips and newer). Even on Intel Macs where it is available, using a VM is much more convenient, as you don't have to restart your computer every time you want to switch between macOS and Windows.

How much RAM should I allocate to my VM?

For a smooth experience running Power BI, it's recommended to allocate at least 8 GB of RAM to your virtual machine, with 16 GB being ideal if you work with very large datasets or complex models. Most modern Macs will handle this easily.

Final Thoughts

While there isn't a native Power BI application for macOS, getting it working is entirely possible. Either by creating a seamless virtual machine with Parallels or by streaming a Windows 365 Cloud PC, you can have the full functionality of Power BI Desktop integrated right into your Mac workflow.

The effort required just to get the right software running on your computer often highlights how much friction exists in data analysis. We built Graphed because we believe getting insights shouldn't require complex workarounds or deep technical expertise. Instead of managing VMs and different operating systems, you can just connect your marketing and sales data, describe the dashboard you need in plain English, and get live, interactive reports in seconds on any device.