Connect Claude to Power BI Desktop

Download Configuration files and step by step instructions

A quick walkthrough showing you how to connect Claude to Power BI Desktop using the MCP (Model Context Protocol) server. Once set up, Claude can read your Power BI data model, write DAX, build measures, and help you explore your data, all from a simple chat interface.

What This Video Covers:

• Downloading and installing Visual Studio Code

• Installing the Power BI Modeling MCP Server extension

• Downloading and setting up the Claude Desktop app

• Configuring the MCP server file path and JSON config file

• Restarting and verifying the connection

• Your first prompt: connecting Claude to an open Power BI file Key

Moments:

0:00 — Introduction
0:15 — Download and install Visual Studio Code
0:45 — Install the Power BI Modeling MCP Server extension
1:00 — Download and install Claude Desktop
1:20 — Locate the MCP server .exe file path
2:00 — Configure the file path with double backslashes
2:40 — Edit the Claude developer config file
3:20 — Restart Claude and verify the MCP connection
3:45 — First prompt: connect to your open Power BI file

Prerequisites:

• Power BI Desktop installed with a .pbix file

• A free Claude account (created during installation)

Configurations:

%USERPROFILE%\.vscode\extensions

{
"mcpServers": {
"powerbi-modeling-mcp": {
"command": "Paste Path Here, Replace \ with \\",
"args": ["--start"],
"type": "stdio"
}
}
}

What You Can Do Once Connected:

Claude can interact directly with your Power BI data model, write and troubleshoot DAX queries, build new measures, explore table relationships, and answer questions about your data. It's like having an analyst sitting next to you while you build reports.