IFC Viewer Visual for Power BI
The IFC Viewer is a Microsoft Power BI visual available on Microsoft AppSource. Use it to view Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) models directly in Power BI and connect model elements to report data.
Why choose the IFC Viewer Visual for Power BI?
| Feature | IFC Viewer Visual for Power BI | Standard IFC Viewer |
|---|---|---|
| No extra software/login | ✓ | ✗ |
| Privacy: User controls data storage | ✓ | ✗ |
| Link model to external data (cost, schedule) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Create 3D views with custom charts and KPIs | ✓ | ✗ |
| Integrate with Microsoft 365 (Lists, Excel, SharePoint) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Add custom workflows to your data | ✓ | ✗ |
| AI-ready data architecture | ✓ | ✗ |
Key features
1. IFC model import
Add IFC file links from SharePoint, databases, or supported cloud storage sources, then load the model in Power BI.
- Real-time IFC data extraction
- Interactive 3D visualization
- Compatible with Power BI-supported sources
2. Interactive data
- Link IFC attributes to Power BI report fields.
- Select an IFC element in the 3D model to view its properties and metadata.
- Use hover interactions to inspect key element attributes.
3. Custom filtering and selection
- Apply filters to isolate IFC types, such as walls, beams, doors, and railings.
- Select filtered components to highlight matching elements in the 3D viewer.
- Use heatmaps and treemaps to categorize elements by type and attributes.
4. Save filters and views
- Use Power BI bookmarks to save personal or report-level views.
5. Integrate with Power BI and Microsoft 365
- Load IFC data from SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and Excel.
- Create Power BI reports for Teams, SharePoint sites, and email subscriptions.
- Embed Power BI reports in internal portals where your organization allows it.
6. Automatic data refresh
- Use Power BI refresh to keep report data aligned with source IFC data.
- Schedule refreshes or trigger them manually for flexibility.
- Works with cloud sources such as SharePoint and OneDrive.
7. Connect external data sources
Connect schedules, cost data, asset data, sensor feeds, and external databases to the same report.
- Show project timelines beside IFC models.
- Combine cost and asset data for project tracking.
- Add IoT sensor data for building performance reports.
- Link external databases for a broader project view in Power BI.
Use cases
- Building lifecycle management: Track and analyze construction progress with IFC data.
- Facility management: Use BIM data in maintenance and operations dashboards.
- Cost estimation and quantity takeoffs: Extract and analyze component quantities from IFC models.
- Regulatory compliance: Review model data against project and regulatory requirements.
- Cross-team collaboration: Share Power BI reports with stakeholders according to your organization’s access policies.
Who is it for?
The IFC Viewer Visual for Power BI is designed for:
- BIM managers and coordinators who manage IFC model reviews.
- Construction and facility managers who need model data in operational reports.
- Architects and engineers who review model elements and properties.
- Power BI analysts who integrate BIM data into dashboards.
- Project managers who need 3D context in Power BI reports.
How it works
- Select any IFC files from your SharePoint tenant.
- Select any element in the 3D viewer to view its associated data.
- Filter components based on IFC types, attributes, or properties.
- Analyze and interact with model data using Power BI visualizations.
- Export and share insights through Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or Excel.