Connect automatically Power BI to Revit to create project dashboards.

[Anonymous]

Can we connect automatically Power BI to Revit and create an project dashboard? We could use Dynamo but it would be good to connect it automatic.

[jeremytammik]

Dear Fabio,

Thank you for your query.

I have no idea what Power BI is or what it can connect to.

Just from looking at the image you attached, it looks like it might be happy to connect to and be driven from many sources.

Revit is totally programmable, so I see no reason to stop you from implementing an add-in to achieve the connection you wish.

An Internet search bring up Microsoft Power BI, so I assume that is what you are talking about:

https://powerbi.microsoft.com

That looks like a sort of cloud-based reporting tool.

I am just guessing about the cloud part, though.

I tend to avoid proprietary solutions, since there is so much open source software available.

I have discussed a whole range of examples connecting the desktop and the cloud on The Building Coder, and I am sure many of the solutions presented there could be used with Power BI as well:

http://thebuildingcoder.typepad.com/blog/cloud

http://thebuildingcoder.typepad.com/blog/desktop

I hope this helps.

Best regards,

Jeremy

[Anonymous]

Hello, Fabio

There are no build in features, or apps that i know of, but let me see if i can walk through the concept of this.

Simple Method:

1. Export data from a schedule, or use something like case tools to export data in separate tabs, its really your preference

2. Import data in to Power BI 

3. Create a data model or simply just begin visualizing the data automatically.

Advanced Method:

1. You will need to have a database to store the data you export from the revit model.

      1. SQL server express is the cheapest, and can be configured on your local machine (i would advise to put it on a VM) (this will be created        automatically if you use clarity

      2. SQL Server

      3. MS SQL Server

      4. Other? (havent tried)

2. You will need to have some sort of database export tool

      1. Clarity is by far probably the most user friendly

      2. Revit DB Link is sort of the Autodesk Stock export tool 

3. (If using DB link) You will need create some connection string between your revit model and the target database

4. In powerbi, create a connection to your database using whatever protocols your database will allow.

5. Select the data tables you wish to see, and define the relationships to visualize your data

6. Assemble your dashboards with whatever reports/data you want!

Every time you export the data from the advanced method, you can refresh your dashboard, and all of your data will be up to date, and you wont have to rebuild your visuals (unless you defined your relationships poorly)

If Jeremy sponsors me, i would be happy to do a presentation at AU next year 🙂

best of luck

[Anonymous]

Hi, did Jeremy sponsored you to present at AU at the end?

Thanks

[jeremytammik]

Nope, sorry. I do not have any influence whatsoever on AU class selection.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, Jeremy. I was only really kidding. I didn't mean to imply you had influence. 

Thanks as always for your contribution and insight. 

[jeremytammik]

🙂

My pleasure entirely.

Thank you for your appreciation!

[Anonymous]

Hey Sean have you tried it?