In Power BI, what does a .PBIX file represent?

A .PBIX file represents a Power BI project that encompasses a comprehensive collection of data visualizations, reports, and dashboards. This project file format contains not only the data model—a structured representation of the data—but also queries, relationships, visual elements, and settings associated with the Power BI report being developed.

When working with Power BI Desktop, users create and revise their reports, which are saved as .PBIX files. This format enables the integration of various components, such as the dataset pulled from different sources and any transformations applied through Power Query or DAX measures. The .PBIX file serves as a complete package for sharing and publishing reports to the Power BI service, where the respective datasets and reports can be viewed and interacted with by end-users.

While .PBIX files do include datasets and data models, describing them solely as a dataset or data model would exclude the additional elements that form part of a full project. Therefore, identifying a .PBIX file as a Power BI project is the most accurate answer because it captures the broader scope of everything encapsulated within the file and reflects how users engage with Power BI in their reporting and analytical processes.