How to Link Power BI to Excel
- George Apostolov
How to Link Power BI to Excel: step-by-step guide
Open Power BI Desktop, click 'Black report'.
Select 'Import data from Excel' as your data source.
Browse to your Excel file and select it. Then, click 'Open'.
Pick the sheet(s) or tables you want to import. Check the boxes for the ones you want to import.
Click 'Load'.
The Excel data is loaded directly into Power BI as a dataset.
Quick answer: To link Excel to Power BI, open Power BI Desktop, select import data from Excel, browse to and open your file, check the desired sheets or tables, and click load to import the data as a dataset.
About this Excel tutorial
Import Excel spreadsheets into Power BI Desktop as datasets by selecting your file, choosing specific tables, and loading the data. This guide shows how to link Power BI to Excel in 6 steps, starting with "Open Power BI Desktop, click 'Black report'" and finishing with "The Excel data is loaded directly into Power BI as a dataset". The interactive demo above is a click-through copy of the real Excel interface, so you can rehearse each step before doing it in your own account.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps does it take to link Power BI to Excel?
6 steps. Each one is listed in order above, and the demo highlights exactly where to click.
Can I try it without changing my own account?
Yes. Clicking through the demo doesn't touch your Excel data or settings. Once you know the flow, repeat it in your own workspace.
This tutorial is filed under Excel and Power BI. Related guides: How to Link Worksheet Data in Microsoft Excel, How to Lock Cells in Microsoft Excel and How to make a bar graph in microsoft excel. Last reviewed 05 Oct 2026.
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