User permissions in Power BI define who can access reports, dashboards, workspaces, apps, semantic models and related content.
User permissions
User permissions define who can access Power BI reports, what they can do with them and which data they are allowed to see.
Quick facts about user permissions
Controls report access
User permissions decide who can open, view, edit or manage Power BI content.
Different access levels
Power BI permissions can vary across workspaces, reports, apps, semantic models and shared content.
Supports secure sharing
Permissions help make sure users only access reports and data that are relevant to their role or audience.
Important for external users
When reports are shared with customers or partners, permissions become central to both security and user experience.
How user permissions work in Power BI
User permissions in Power BI control access across several layers. A user may have permission to view a report, but not edit it. Another user may manage a workspace, publish content or access a semantic model behind the report.
Power BI permissions often affect:
- Who can view a report
- Who can edit or publish report content
- Who can access the underlying semantic model
- Who can see specific data through security rules
This is especially important when reporting moves beyond a small internal team. As more users, customers or partners need access, teams need a clear permission setup that keeps reports useful without exposing the wrong content.
Why user permissions matter for Power BI sharing
User permissions matter because sharing a Power BI report is not just about sending a link. Teams also need to control who can access the report, what role each user has and whether different audiences should see different data.
This becomes more important when reports are shared externally. A customer should only see their own reporting view, a partner may need access to selected reports, and an internal manager may need broader visibility. Without a clear permission model, Power BI sharing can become difficult to manage as the audience grows.
Skald BI helps organizations share existing Power BI reports through a secure branded portal. Instead of relying only on standard Power BI sharing flows, teams can give customers, partners and internal users a clearer access experience, with report delivery built around the audiences that need to use it.
Use cases
See how different types of organisations use Skald BI to share Power BI securely with employees, customers and partners.
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Frequently asked questions
What are user permissions in Power BI?
Why are user permissions important in Power BI?
They help protect report content and make sure users only access the reports, actions and data they are allowed to use.
Can different Power BI users have different permissions?
Yes. One user may only view a report, while another may edit content, manage a workspace or publish updates.
Why do permissions matter for external Power BI sharing?
External users, such as customers or partners, often need limited access to specific reports or data. Permissions help keep that access controlled.
How does Skald BI help with user permissions?