Connecting Claude AI to Power BI Desktop | Step-by-Step Setup Guide
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"
}
}
}
To download step by step instructions, go to www.axonperform.com
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.
About Axon Perform:
Axon centralises sports performance data from GPS, match analytics, wellness, and medical systems into client-owned Snowflake data warehouses with Power BI reporting templates. We use this exact Claude + Power BI workflow every day to build and maintain performance reports for elite teams worldwide.
Learn more: www.axonperform.com