When to Use Paginated Reports
Pixel-perfect operational reporting for invoices, statements, and printable documents.
Paginated reports are designed for printing and document generation, offering pixel-perfect formatting that flows across multiple pages.
What Are Paginated Reports?
Unlike interactive Power BI reports designed for exploration, paginated reports are formatted for printing. They render every row of data and can span hundreds of pages while maintaining exact formatting.
When to Use Paginated Reports
Best Use Cases - Invoices and statements - Consistent formatting for customer documents - Financial reports - Multi-page reports with specific layouts - Operational reports - Detailed listings of transactions or records - Regulatory reports - Exact formatting required for compliance - Mailing labels - Fixed layouts for printing
Not Ideal For - Exploratory data analysis - Interactive dashboards - Real-time monitoring
Creating Paginated Reports
Option 1: Power BI Report Builder Download Power BI Report Builder (free) to create paginated reports with a familiar interface similar to SSRS Report Builder.
Option 2: Migrate from SSRS Existing SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) reports (.rdl files) can be uploaded directly to Power BI Premium workspaces with minimal modifications.
Key Features
- Precise formatting - Control exact placement of elements
- Parameters - Allow users to filter data before generation
- Subreports - Embed reports within reports
- Export formats - PDF, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, CSV
- Subscriptions - Schedule automatic delivery via email
Power BI Premium Requirement
Paginated reports require Power BI Premium capacity or Premium Per User (PPU) to publish and view in Power BI Service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need SSRS experience to create paginated reports?
No, while SSRS experience helps, Power BI Report Builder provides a user-friendly interface. Anyone familiar with report design concepts can learn to create paginated reports.
Can paginated reports connect to Power BI datasets?
Yes, paginated reports can connect to Power BI semantic models as data sources, enabling you to leverage existing data models for pixel-perfect reporting.