top of page

Power BI Python Scripting - Steps to Install Python IDE (Visual Studio Code)

In this article, you will learn how to install Python IDE (Visual Studio Code) for Power BI for the Python script visual.


Power BI is a powerful business intelligence tool that allows users to analyze, visualize, and share data. It provides a wide range of data analysis capabilities that can be enhanced with custom Python scripting. With the integration of Python in Power BI, users can leverage the power of Python libraries to perform complex data analysis and data visualization.


To get started with Python scripting in Power BI, you need to install a Python Integrated Development Environment (IDE) such as Visual Studio Code. In this article, we will explore the installation process of Visual Studio Code and how it can be used for Power BI Python scripting.


Installing Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code is a lightweight and powerful cross-platform source code editor. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. To install Visual Studio Code, follow the steps below:


STEP 1: Go to the Visual Studio Code website.


STEP 2: Click on the "Download" button to download the appropriate version for your operating system.




STEP 3: Run the downloaded installer and follow the installation wizard.



Once the installation is complete, launch Visual Studio Code.


Installing Python Extension

After installing Visual Studio Code, the next step is to install the Python extension. The Python extension provides a range of features such as code completion, debugging, and syntax highlighting for Python code.


To install the Python extension, follow the steps below:


STEP 1: Open Visual Studio Code.


STEP 2: Click on the "Extensions" icon on the left-hand side of the window.


STEP 3: Search for "Python" in the search bar.


STEP 4: Click on the "Install" button to install the Python extension.



Once the installation is complete, you can start using Visual Studio Code for Python scripting.


Using Visual Studio Code for Power BI Python Scripting

Once Visual Studio Code is installed and the Python extension is added, you can use it as a Python IDE for Power BI. To do so, follow these steps:


STEP 1: Open Power BI Desktop.


STEP 2: Click on the "Transform Data" button in the Home tab.



STEP 3: Load the desired data source into Power Query Editor.


STEP 4: Click on the "Python Script Editor" button in the "Transform Data" tab.


STEP 5: In the Python Script Editor, write the desired Python code.


STEP 6: Save the Python script in a .py file.


STEP 7: Open the saved .py file in Visual Studio Code.



STEP 8: Modify the Python code as required.


STEP 9: Save the changes in Visual Studio Code.


STEP 10: Reload the Python script in the Python Script Editor in Power Query Editor.


By using Visual Studio Code for Power BI Python scripting, you can take advantage of the powerful features of Visual Studio Code, such as code completion, debugging, and syntax highlighting, to write complex Python code for data analysis and visualization in Power BI.


Conclusion

Python scripting in Power BI is a powerful tool that can be used to perform complex data analysis and data visualization. With the installation of a Python IDE such as Visual Studio Code, users can take advantage of powerful features such as code completion, debugging, and syntax highlighting to write Python code for Power BI. By using Visual Studio Code for Power BI Python scripting, users can improve their data analysis and data visualization capabilities, leading to more informed business decisions.

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page