Power BI: New Get Data Interface

Key insights

• Power BI rolled out a new Get Data experience in the May 2026 preview that updates the Power Query connector UI.
  It uses a modern, visual layout with larger connection cards and a clearer visual hierarchy to improve discoverability.
• The interface adds quick-access elements like Recent sources, direct OneLake catalog discovery, and a stronger built-in search.
  It also includes explicit Blank Table and Blank Query options for fast manual entry or custom M authoring.
• To try it, enable the preview feature in Power BI Desktop under File > Options and settings > Options > Preview features, restart the app, then open Get Data.
  The classic dropdown remains available while the new experience is in preview, so you can switch back if needed.
• Benefits include faster data discovery, simpler connector selection, and smoother onboarding for new users thanks to Fabric-style design cues and contextual UI.
  Search and visual cards make finding and connecting to sources quicker for beginners.
• Power users may find the change frustrating at first due to shifted workflows and muscle memory loss.
  Advanced scenarios and specific dialog flows may still require adjustments while Microsoft refines the experience.
• This update signals a broader move toward a more unified Microsoft data platform and closer integration with Fabric concepts.
  Expect more visual, discoverable tools and features that make Power BI easier to learn and more aligned with cloud data services.

Pragmatic Works recently published a YouTube video that highlights a notable update in Power BI, and the newsroom reviewed the changes for readers. In the May 2026 preview, Microsoft introduced a redesigned Get Data experience inside Power Query that looks and behaves differently from the classic interface. Allison Gonzalez walks through the new layout, the improved search, and how OneLake catalog access appears in the preview. As a result, the update signals a broader design alignment with Microsoft’s modern data platform goals.

What Changed in the Get Data Experience

First, the new Get Data interface adopts a visually richer layout with larger connector cards and a stronger visual hierarchy. Moreover, it surfaces recent sources, offers direct access to the OneLake catalog, and adds clear options for creating a Blank Table or a Blank Query. Consequently, users will notice an emphasis on discoverability and a more prominent search box that aims to make finding connectors faster. The modern layout resembles other Fabric-style experiences, which suggests a consistent design move across Microsoft products.

Second, the preview keeps familiar elements while changing the flow for many tasks, so the classic dropdown still works for those who prefer it. However, the updated flow groups authentication, connectivity choices, and connector discovery into fewer steps, which can reduce clicks for new users. At the same time, experienced users may find the new visual approach less compact for advanced workflows. Therefore, this change balances visual clarity with a potential tradeoff in screen density that experts will notice.

How to Enable the Preview

To try the new features, open Power BI Desktop and navigate to Options and settings where preview toggles reside. Then enable the checkbox labeled New Power Query experience and restart the application to activate the updated Get Data screen. Similarly, users who want the experimental interface that places controls directly on visuals can enable On-Object Interactions from the same preview settings. These steps allow users to test the new flows while keeping the legacy experience available for fallback.

Benefits for Onboarding and Discovery

The video emphasizes that beginners stand to gain the most because the new design reduces initial complexity and presents connectors in a friendly, clickable way. Consequently, trainers and classroom settings may find onboarding smoother since learners encounter clearly labeled sections like Home, New, and Recent. In addition, integrating OneLake helps teams find Fabric assets without leaving the Get Data flow, which streamlines discovery across the Microsoft data ecosystem. Thus, the update supports a faster path from zero to usable data for many users.

Moreover, the preview aims to support accessibility, with improved keyboard navigation and clearer visual cues that help people with diverse needs. Yet, this accessibility push also requires updated documentation and training materials so that institutions can adopt the change effectively. Therefore, organizations should weigh short-term retraining costs against longer-term gains in usability and discoverability when planning rollouts. In practice, the balance between immediate friction and future efficiency will vary by team.

Tradeoffs and Concerns for Power Users

While the modern layout simplifies many tasks, power users may face frustrations, particularly where dense lists or rapid connector switching are common. For example, removing or hiding legacy panel behaviors can slow users who are accustomed to keyboard-driven, compact workflows. Likewise, making controls visual and contextual may complicate batch edits, scripting, or automation that relies on the older interface. Consequently, teams that depend on speed and repeatability must test whether the preview preserves their productivity before adopting it widely.

Additionally, the move toward richer visuals and a Fabric-consistent look raises questions about backward compatibility and export formats, especially given ongoing work toward JSON-based report definitions like PBI R. Although machine-readable formats promise new automation and AI possibilities, they also demand careful migration planning to avoid breaking existing pipelines. Thus, administrators should plan pilot programs and maintain rollback plans to reduce operational risk while exploring new capabilities.

Implications for Power BI’s Future

The video frames this update as part of a larger trajectory toward a more unified Microsoft data platform, and this change reinforces that signal. As Microsoft continues to align visuals, connectors, and metadata across Fabric, users can expect more unified tooling and potential AI integrations that leverage machine-readable reports. However, this path requires investment in governance, security, and training to ensure data practices remain consistent across teams.

In conclusion, Pragmatic Works’ coverage of the preview offers a clear, practical look at what to expect and how to try the new features. While the redesign promises better discoverability and a friendlier onboarding experience, it also introduces tradeoffs for experts and administrators that merit careful evaluation. Therefore, teams should test the preview in controlled environments, measure impacts on workflows, and prepare training to capture the benefits while managing the risks.

Keywords

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