Easy Tech TutsHow to Create a Paginated Report in Power BI Service Easily 2026
By Impran M N
Turning a large data grid or financial ledger into a formatted, printable document usually meant opening a separate desktop tool. This guide shows how to build a paginated report directly inside Power BI Service's browser-based authoring engine, connecting it to an existing semantic model and exporting the result as PDF or Excel. It's aimed at analysts who need pixel-perfect, printable tables without extra software.
01Start from a semantic model
In your workspace, click the three-dot menu next to a published semantic model and select Create formatted table.
02Add your data fields
Check the boxes next to your target columns in the fields directory to drop them into the primary text layout.
03Arrange your table structure
Drag your selected fields up or down in the rows configuration drawer to set the display sequence, then switch to Page View to see pagination.
04Adjust for print formatting
Adjust column widths on the canvas so text wraps cleanly within standard margins.
05Save and export
Save your report with a descriptive name, then use the Export button to download it as PDF, Word, or Excel.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Power BI Desktop to build a paginated report?
No, the browser-based authoring engine in Power BI Service lets you build paginated reports without opening separate desktop software.
What formats can I export a paginated report to?
You can export to standard enterprise formats including PDF, Word, or Excel directly from the top ribbon menu.
How does pagination work across long tables?
The rendering engine automatically handles cross-page typography mapping and splits your data cleanly across multiple pages.
Can I connect a paginated report to an existing model?
Yes, you build it directly from a pre-published semantic model in your workspace rather than starting from a blank file.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.
