What type of application is Power BI Desktop?

Power BI Desktop is classified as a desktop application. This designation means that it is a software program designed to be installed and run on a personal computer or workstation. It allows users to connect to various data sources, create data models, and design visualizations and reports all from their local machine. This functionality is critical for data analysts and business intelligence professionals who need to work extensively with data before publishing reports or sharing them online.

The option indicating a web application refers to programs that run in a web browser requiring internet access and do not require a local installation. While Power BI does have a web-based version (Power BI Service), Power BI Desktop specifically operates as a local application. Similarly, a mobile application would be designed for mobile devices, offering a different user interface and functionality tailored to smaller screens. A cloud application would generally rely on cloud-based resources and services, which is not the primary case for Power BI Desktop. Thus, recognizing Power BI Desktop as a desktop application underscores its purpose and usage context within the realm of data analytics.