For both Power BI projects and longer-term deployments, it's critical to distinguish Power BI datasets from Power BI reports and dashboards. Although Power BI Desktop is used to develop both datasets and reports, a Power BI dataset is an SSAS Data Model internally. Similar to an SSAS Data Model developed and maintained by IT, the intent of the Power BI dataset is to provide a simplified layer for reporting and analysis and to embed corporate-approved logic and security. Power BI reports, which are also saved as .pbix files, will only connect to the dataset and thus will exclusively leverage Power BI Desktop's visualization features, such as Bookmarks and Slicer visuals.
As per Chapter 1, Planning Power BI Projects, datasets ...
