powerbi-mcp-server

# Power BI Desktop MCP Server     > ⚠️ **Alpha version** – APIs and behaviours may change without notice. Power BI Desktop MCP Server lets Claude (or any MCP client) talk to a running Power BI Desktop instance using natural language. It bridges the Model Context Protocol to the Tabular Object Model so you can inspect, optimize, and author DAX without leaving chat. ## Installation Step-by-step setup (Power BI prerequisites, .NET libraries, environment variables) lives in [INSTALLATION.md](INSTALLATION.md). For local development: ```bash pip install -e . # or install from the current directory: pip install . ``` ## Quick Example List the tables in your current Power BI model: ```bash python examples/list_model_info.py --include-columns ``` Export measures to the knowledge base: ```bash python examples/export_measures_to_knowledge_base.py --project "Executive Dashboard" ``` Run the optimizer on an expression: ```bash python examples/optimize_dax.py --expr "CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), FILTER(ALL(Date), Date[Year] = 2024))" ``` ## Configuration - Copy `.env.example` to `.env` and set `TOM_DLL_PATH` if the Microsoft Analysis Services DLLs are not auto-detected. Optional variables include `LOG_LEVEL`, `MCP_KNOWLEDGE_BASE`, and `POWERBI_WORKSPACE_NAME`. - Add the CLI entry point to Claude Desktop (or any MCP host): ```json { "mcpServers": { "powerbi": { "command": "powerbi-mcp-server", "args": [] } } } ``` - The CLI is a thin wrapper around `python -m powerbi_mcp.server`, so either invocation works for deployments and debugging. ## Features - DAX code generation and measure creation - Measure and table metadata inspection - DAX optimizer with rule-based suggestions - TMDL import/export helpers - Knowledge base bridge for storing curated measures - Example scripts for quick automation (`examples/` directory) ## Known Issues - Power BI visuals live outside the XMLA endpoint, so visual creation/editing is not supported. - The server connects to the most recently opened Power BI Desktop workspace; multiple instances are not yet multiplexed. - Write operations require the Power BI model to allow external tools and, in some scenarios, elevated permissions. - `pythonnet` relies on local Microsoft Analysis Services DLLs; misconfigured `TOM_DLL_PATH` is the most common setup failure. ## Contributing Pull requests are welcome. Please: 1. Open an issue describing the change if it alters behaviour or APIs. 2. Keep additions formatted with `ruff`/`black` style conventions (if configured) and include type hints. 3. Add or update example scripts/tests where it helps illustrate new functionality. 4. Run the example scripts or manual smoke tests before submitting. Issues and feature requests are tracked at the repository’s GitHub Issues page.