This post is a part of the DP-600: Implementing Analytics Solutions Using Microsoft Fabric Exam Prep Hub; and this topic falls under these sections: 
Maintain a data analytics solution 
    --> Maintain the analytics development lifecycle 
        --> Create and manage a Power BI Desktop project (.pbip)

The Power BI Desktop project format (.pbip) is a modern, folder-based representation of a Power BI solution that enables source control, collaboration, and professional development lifecycle management. It replaces the traditional single-file .pbix model when teams adopt Git-based workflows.

For the DP-600 exam, you should understand what a PBIP is, how it is structured, how it integrates with version control, and when to use it.

What Is a Power BI Desktop Project (.pbip)?

A .pbip file is a project descriptor that points to a folder containing the full definition of a Power BI solution, including:

• Semantic model metadata
• Report layout and visuals
• Connections and expressions

Unlike .pbix, a .pbip:

• Is human-readable
• Can be diffed and versioned
• Works naturally with Git repositories

Key Benefits of Using PBIP

Using PBIP enables:

• Source control integration
• Multi-developer collaboration
• Clear separation of model and report artifacts
• Improved CI/CD and ALM practices
• Easier change tracking and rollback

These benefits align directly with the analytics development lifecycle tested in DP-600.

PBIP Folder Structure (High Level)

A PBIP project typically includes:

• A .pbip file (entry point for Power BI Desktop)
• A SemanticModel folder
• A Report folder

Each folder contains JSON-based definitions of:

• Tables, relationships, measures
• Visuals and report pages
• Model properties and settings

Exam insight:
The semantic model and report can be versioned independently.

Creating a PBIP Project

Option 1: Create a New PBIP

1. Open Power BI Desktop
2. Create or open a report
3. Save the project using Power BI Project (.pbip) format

Option 2: Convert an Existing PBIX

• Open the .pbix file
• Save As → Power BI Project (.pbip)

This converts the monolithic file into a folder-based project.

Managing PBIP Projects

Working with Source Control

• Store PBIP projects in Azure DevOps Git repositories
• Commit changes to track history
• Use branches and pull requests for collaboration

Multi-Developer Scenarios

• One developer can work on the semantic model
• Another can work on report visuals
• Changes can be merged safely using Git

Publishing to Fabric

• Open the .pbip file in Power BI Desktop
• Publish to a Fabric workspace
• Workspace Git integration can align with the same repo

PBIP and Microsoft Fabric

PBIP works naturally with Fabric development practices:

• Supports workspace Git integration
• Aligns with dev/test/prod workspace patterns
• Enables repeatable deployments
• Complements Fabric items like Lakehouses and Warehouses

For DP-600, PBIP is often referenced as the recommended format for professional analytics development.

PBIP vs PBIX (Exam Comparison)

Feature	PBIX	PBIP
File structure	Single binary file	Folder-based
Source control friendly	No	Yes
Multi-developer support	Limited	Strong
CI/CD readiness	Low	High
Recommended for teams	No	Yes

Common Exam Scenarios

You may be asked:

• When to choose PBIP over PBIX
• How PBIP supports Git and DevOps practices
• How multiple developers collaborate on the same report
• Why changes are easier to track with PBIP
• How PBIP fits into Fabric workspace version control

Example:

A team wants to track changes to a semantic model using Git.
Correct answer: Use a PBIP project.

Best Practices to Remember

• Use PBIP for team-based or enterprise solutions
• Store PBIP projects in Git repositories
• Pair PBIP with:
  • Workspace version control
  • Branching strategies
  • Separate dev/test/prod workspaces
• Avoid PBIP for quick, ad-hoc analysis

Key Exam Takeaways

• PBIP is a folder-based Power BI project format
• Designed for source control and collaboration
• Enables independent versioning of model and report
• Strongly aligned with Fabric lifecycle management
• Frequently tested in DP-600 ALM scenarios

Exam Tips

• If a question mentions Git, collaboration, CI/CD, or multi-developer Power BI development, the correct concept is almost always Power BI Desktop projects (.pbip).
• Expect comparison questions: .pbix vs .pbip
• Know why .pbip exists → DevOps & collaboration
• Understand:
  • Git-friendly file structure
  • No credentials stored
  • Works with Fabric workspace version control
• Common scenario themes:
  • Multi-developer teams
  • CI/CD pipelines
  • Enterprise governance

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Practice Questions

Question 1 (Single choice)

What is the PRIMARY purpose of using a Power BI Desktop project (.pbip) instead of a traditional .pbix file?

A. Improve report rendering performance
B. Enable better source control and collaboration
C. Reduce dataset refresh time
D. Support Direct Lake connectivity

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
.pbip projects store report and model artifacts as multiple text-based files, making them suitable for Git version control, diffing, and team collaboration.

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Question 2 (Multi-select)

Which components are stored separately when using a .pbip project? (Select all that apply.)

A. Report definition
B. Semantic model metadata
C. Data source credentials
D. Visual layout configuration

Correct Answers: A, B, D

Explanation:
.pbip breaks artifacts into JSON/text-based files for reports, models, and visuals. Credentials are not stored for security reasons.

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Question 3 (Scenario-based)

A team wants multiple developers to work on the same Power BI solution using Git branches and pull requests. Which format should they use?

A. .pbix
B. .pbip
C. .pbit
D. .rdl

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
.pbip is designed specifically for collaborative, Git-based workflows.

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Question 4 (Single choice)

How do you create a Power BI Desktop project?

A. Save a report as .pbip from Power BI Service
B. Enable a setting and save from Power BI Desktop
C. Convert a .pbix automatically in Fabric
D. Import from Azure DevOps

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
You enable Power BI Desktop Project support in Preview features, then save the report as a .pbip from Power BI Desktop.

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Question 5 (Scenario-based)

After saving a report as .pbip, you notice dozens of files and folders. What is the BEST explanation?

A. The report was corrupted
B. Each artifact is stored as a separate definition
C. Temporary cache files were created
D. Power BI duplicated the dataset

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
.pbip stores each logical artifact separately, enabling granular change tracking in source control.

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Question 6 (Multi-select)

Which benefits does .pbip provide compared to .pbix? (Select all that apply.)

A. Meaningful Git diffs
B. Merge conflict resolution
C. Built-in deployment pipelines
D. Support for CI/CD workflows

Correct Answers: A, B, D

Explanation:
.pbip enables DevOps workflows, but deployment pipelines are a separate Fabric feature.

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Question 7 (Scenario-based)

A developer modifies a DAX measure in a .pbip project. What happens in source control?

A. The entire report file changes
B. Only the affected model definition file changes
C. The change is ignored
D. The report must be re-imported

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Only the specific model file reflecting the DAX change is updated, enabling clean diffs.

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Question 8 (Single choice)

Which file format is BETTER suited for enterprise development with Fabric Git integration?

A. .pbix
B. .pbip
C. .xlsx
D. .json

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
.pbip aligns with Fabric workspace Git integration and enterprise development standards.

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Question 9 (Scenario-based)

Your team wants to use .pbip but also publish reports to Fabric workspaces. What limitation should you consider?

A. .pbip reports cannot be published
B. Only Admins can publish .pbip
C. Local development requires Power BI Desktop
D. .pbip does not support semantic models

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
.pbip is a Power BI Desktop development format; publishing still requires Desktop or pipeline automation.

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Question 10 (Fill in the blank)

A .pbip project improves collaboration by storing Power BI artifacts as ________ files that work well with ________ systems.

Correct Answer:
Text-based (or JSON-based), source control (or Git)

Explanation:
Text-based files enable version tracking, branching, and code reviews.

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