Microsoft Fabric unifies data engineering, data science, real-time analytics, and business intelligence into a single SaaS platform. Power BI is Fabric's primary consumption layer — all reports, dashboards, and AI features are now part of the Fabric experience.
In Fabric, what was previously called a "dataset" is now a Semantic Model. Semantic models define the business logic layer — relationships, measures, hierarchies, and row-level security — that sits between raw data and user-facing reports.
Fabric Apps allow report authors to package multiple reports, dashboards, and semantic models into a single distributable application. Users install Fabric Apps from the organisational app store, receiving a curated analytics experience without navigating workspaces.
The legacy Q&A visual (natural language queries in Power BI) is scheduled for deprecation in December 2026. Microsoft recommends migrating to Copilot in Power BI, which provides significantly more capable natural language interaction including multi-turn conversations, visual creation, and narrative generation.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| DirectLake Mode | Query OneLake data directly without import or DirectQuery — best of both worlds |
| Dataflow Gen2 | Cloud-based ETL for preparing data before loading into semantic models |
| Real-time Intelligence | Stream data from IoT, event hubs, and Kafka into Power BI dashboards |