The BI Viewer feature allows you to embed BI reports created in either Microsoft's PowerBI or Google Looker Studio directly into a page in School or MAT MIS. This makes sharing reports more simple - no more lost dashboard links - whilst giving you controlled access to share with colleagues in your organisation.
BI Viewer is included in our School MIS Perform package or MAT MIS Plus/Enterprise options.
Setting up your BI Viewer Provider
You'll need to enable the appropriate provider for your BI dashboards. You can do this via School > Bi Viewer > Setup BI Tool (School MIS) or Analytics > BI Viewer > Setup BI Tool (MAT MIS)
Click on the appropriate provider and then Enable/Disable Integration
Creating Reports
Microsoft PowerBI - iFrame option
To add a new report you'll need the embed link of a PowerBI report, this is not the same as the report's URL. To get the embed link:
- Navigate to your PowerBI report
- Click on File > Embed Report > Website or Portal
- Copy the URL under 'Link to embed this content' option
You're now ready to add your report in Arbor.
Under School > BI Viewer > View BI Reports (School MIS) or Analytics > BI Viewer > View BI Reports (MAT MIS) click +Add and choose Microsoft PowerBI then click Add Report
Give your report a name so users can identify it in the report list, paste in the embed URL and click Add.
Google Looker Studio option
To add a new report you'll need the embed link of a Looker Studio report, this is not the same as the report's URL. To get the embed link:
- Navigate to your Looker Studio report
- Click on File > Embed Report
- Tick the Enabled embedding option
- Choose Embed URL and copy the link, then click Finished
You're now ready to add your report in Arbor.
Under School > BI Viewer > View BI Reports (School MIS) or Analytics > BI Viewer > View BI Reports (MAT MIS) click +Add and choose Google Looker Studio then click Add Report
Give your report a name so users can identify it in the report list, paste in the embed URL and click Add.
Editing/Deleting Reports
In the Report List, click the Edit pencil and make your changes. If you can't see the Edit pencil option then you don't have Administer permission for this area.
Viewing Reports
Authorisation to view report data is managed by Microsoft or Google - users will be asked to sign in to view when they click on a report link so will need an account/license with the relevant provider.
User Role Permissions
To view the report list you'll need either School: BI Viewer: View or Group: BI Viewer: View permission
If you don't control your own Business Roles then these user roles are automatically assigned to:
- School Administrator
- School Senior Management Team
- Group Director
- Group Executive Management Team
To Edit/Delete Reports or access the Setup tool you'll also need School: BI Viewer: Administer or Group: BI Viewer: Administer.
If you don't control your own Business Roles then these user roles are automatically assigned to:
- School Data Manager/Analyst
- School Head Teacher
- Group Data Manager
- Group CEO
FAQ
We previously used the BI Viewer via Arbor Labs - can we continue to use that option?
No, the Labs option will be removed during the 2025 October half-term. The PowerBI implementation has been changed to support a more transparent licensing model and we cannot support previously created reports. Please re-create your reports via the new iFrame option as soon as possible to avoid losing access.
Do we need a PowerBI Pro license for every user?
When viewing a PowerBI iFrame report you will need to login using Microsoft's own authentication. This will need a relevant Pro license to support that option.
There is no provider option to select in the dropdown when creating new reports
Make sure you've followed the initial steps to enable to correct integration for your chosen provider.
I've created a report but it's not visible when I click to view it
Make sure you've used an embed URL and not just the sharing URL for your report. Using the standard report URL won't properly add it to the page.
I can't access this feature
Please check you have the appropriate Arbor package, this feature is only available to School MIS Perform package or MAT MIS Plus/Enterprise options. Otherwise you may need to add the appropriate BI Viewer User Roles to your users either as an ad-hoc permission or default according to their Business Role.
How to get support
If you have any issues with either BI Viewer or our BI Connector please contact the Arbor Support Team if supported by Arbor, or your Support Partner if not supported by Arbor.
You can also post in the Arbor HQ for support from other Schools and MATs using this feature in Data and BI on Arbor HQ
If you have any queries about how your BI tool works, please contact them. For example, the Microsoft Power BI Community.
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