Have you ever tried to run Power BI on your MacBook and encountered installation issues? Many macOS users — from data analysts to business managers — wonder how to use Microsoft’s most popular Business Intelligence tool on Apple computers. 

Power BI is a powerful analytics platform that allows you to combine data from multiple sources, process it, and visualize it in the form of interactive reports and dashboards. However, despite its popularity, the tool still lacks a native Power BI Desktop application for macOS, which poses a significant limitation for users working on MacBooks. 

In this article, we’ll look at the real ways to use Power BI on a MacBook, discuss available solutions, and highlight which options work best in a business environment. 

What is Power BI and problems for macOS users 

Microsoft Power BI is a comprehensive Business Intelligence solution that enables companies to analyze data from various systems — from ERP and CRM platforms to Excel files and online sources. It allows organizations to create interactive reports, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), and make data-driven decisions. 

The problem arises when a company uses MacBooks. The Power BI Desktop application — the main environment for data modeling and report creation — is available only for Windows. Microsoft has not yet developed a native version for macOS, which limits the direct analytical capabilities of professionals using Apple devices. 

For many organizations that rely on MacBooks in management or marketing teams, this becomes a challenge in terms of BI tool integration. It forces them to look for alternative ways to use Power BI, such as through a browser, virtualization, or remote access. 

Power BI on MacBook – available options 

Although Power BI Desktop is not natively available for macOS, there are several effective ways to run or access Power BI on a MacBook. Below are the most popular methods that allow both data analysis and report interaction within the Apple environment. 

Power BI Service (online version) 

The simplest and most commonly used method is Power BI Service, the online version available in your browser at app.powerbi.com. 
This approach requires no installation and works directly within macOS. 

What Power BI Service enables: 

  • viewing reports and dashboards published by your team, 
  • interacting with visualizations and filtering data, 
  • sharing reports across your organization, 
  • managing workspaces. 

Limitations: 

  • no option to create new data models (this is available only in Power BI Desktop), 
  • limited editing capabilities for existing reports. 

This is an ideal solution for business users who focus on analyzing data and making decisions based on existing reports rather than building new models. 

Remote access to Power BI Desktop 

If your work requires full Power BI Desktop functionality, there are several methods to run a Windows environment on your MacBook. 

a) Parallels Desktop (Windows virtualization on Mac) 

Parallels is one of the most popular solutions among professionals. It allows you to run Windows 11 alongside macOS and use Power BI Desktop seamlessly. 

Advantages: 

  • full functionality of Power BI Desktop, 
  • quick switching between macOS and Windows applications, 
  • stable performance. 

Disadvantages: 

  • requires purchasing Parallels and Windows licenses, 
  • higher system resource usage. 

b) Boot Camp (installing Windows alongside macOS) 

Available only for Intel-based MacBooks, Boot Camp lets you boot directly into Windows instead of macOS, giving you full Power BI Desktop capabilities. 

Advantages: 

  • maximum performance, 
  • full tool functionality. 

Disadvantages: 

  • cannot use macOS and Windows simultaneously, 
  • requires system restart to switch environments. 

c) Remote Desktop (connecting to a Windows computer) 

If your organization operates Windows-based servers or PCs, you can access them remotely through Microsoft Remote Desktop. 

Advantages: 

  • no need to install Windows on your MacBook, 
  • ability to work remotely on a server with Power BI Desktop. 

Disadvantages: 

  • requires a stable internet connection, 
  • potential performance limitations with large data models. 

Power BI Mobile (for iPhone and iPad) 

For users who need quick access to data while on the move, Microsoft offers the Power BI Mobile app. 
It runs natively on iPhone and iPad, giving you access to reports and dashboards through your Power BI Service account. 

Key features: 

  • browsing and interacting with reports, 
  • receiving data change notifications, 
  • sharing insights with team members, 
  • offline mode for selected reports. 

This is an excellent solution for managers and decision-makers who need mobile access to real-time business data anytime, anywhere. 

Comparison of methods – advantages and limitations 

To choose the best way to work with Power BI on a MacBook, it’s useful to compare all available solutions in terms of functionality, convenience, and technical requirements. 

Method Available features Requirements Convenience & Performance Business use 
Power BI Service (online) Viewing and sharing reports Browser, Microsoft account Very good Ideal for managers and business analysts 
Parallels Desktop Full functionality of Power BI Desktop Parallels + Windows license High For advanced users and BI developers 
Boot Camp Full functionality of Power BI Desktop Intel-based Mac Very high, but less convenient For users requiring maximum performance 
Remote Desktop Full remote functionality Windows server or PC in network Good For corporate environments with Windows infrastructure 
Power BI Mobile Limited report access iOS device High mobility For managers and field teams 

Key takeaways: 

  • The most universal solution is Power BI Service — works on any MacBook without additional setup. 
  • Parallels Desktop is the best option for BI specialists who need the full functionality of Power BI Desktop. 
  • In corporate environments, Remote Desktop is effective, providing centralized access to data. 

Power BI MacBook – practical tips for companies 

Organizations using MacBooks often wonder how to effectively implement Power BI. While the lack of a native macOS application may seem limiting, there are proven ways to create an efficient, secure, and integrated analytics environment. 

How to configure Power BI in a macOS environment 

To provide employees with full access to data, it’s best to combine different ways of working with Power BI: 

  • For BI analysts and developers: deploy Parallels Desktop or remote access to a Windows server with Power BI Desktop installed. 
  • For business users: use Power BI Service (browser version) for instant access to reports without additional software installation. 
  • For managers on the go: Power BI Mobile provides access to dashboards and key metrics anywhere, anytime. 

A well-planned configuration connects different roles and ensures smooth data flow between teams. 

Recommendations for IT departments 

IT teams play a key role in maintaining data security and consistency. For organizations using macOS, consider: 

  • Using Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) accounts to centrally manage user access. 
  • Ensuring integration with Microsoft 365 cloud, enabling single sign-on (SSO) and secure data sharing. 
  • Deploying a central Power BI Gateway server, so reports in Power BI Service are automatically updated. 
  • Monitoring Power BI Pro / Premium licenses to maintain cost efficiency. 

This approach ensures data consistency, security, and performance — regardless of whether employees use Windows or macOS. 

Integrating Power BI with other Microsoft 365 tools 

A major advantage of Power BI is its integration with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, making it a natural choice for MacBook users: 

  • Microsoft Teams – share reports and dashboards directly within communication channels. 
  • SharePoint Online – embed Power BI reports in the company intranet for easy access. 
  • OneDrive for Business – automatically updates source files (e.g., Excel) used in Power BI reports. 

This integration allows companies to create a cohesive cloud-based analytics environment accessible to all employees — regardless of their operating system. 

Summary 

Although Power BI Desktop is not natively available for macOS, MacBook users have multiple ways to work effectively with the tool. 
Thanks to Power BI Service, virtualization solutions like Parallels or Remote Desktop, and integration with Microsoft 365, organizations can fully implement a BI environment even when using Apple computers. 

Most convenient access methods: 

  • Power BI Service – ideal for business users, 
  • Parallels Desktop – for BI specialists and developers, 
  • Remote Desktop – for companies with a central data server. 

If your organization plans to implement or expand Power BI in a multi-platform environment, it’s worth leveraging the expertise of EBIS. 
Contact us – our team can help select the right solution, design your data environment, and ensure smooth reporting — regardless of operating system.