Beyond Power BI: 5 Ways to Visualise Geospatial Data in Microsoft Fabric

Power BI is often the default answer to “How do I visualise location data in Microsoft Fabric?”—but Fabric gives analysts and engineers several other experiences that may be a better fit for their skills and workflow.

In this demo-filled session, we’ll cover five ways to visualise geospatial data in Fabric: Fabric Notebooks, KQL Querysets, Real-Time Dashboards, the Map item in Fabric, and Power BI.

We’ll start in Notebooks, using Python libraries like GeoPandas to explore spatial data, and we’ll also show how to embed an interactive Power BI report directly inside a notebook. Next, we’ll move to Real-Time Intelligence: query data with a KQL Queryset, turn results into visuals, and build live tiles in Real-Time Dashboards for operational “what’s happening now?” mapping scenarios.

We’ll then demo the Map item in Fabric (currently in preview) to create richer geospatial visuals using layers such as heatmaps, lines, and polygons. Finally, we’ll compare Power BI’s mapping options (native and custom visuals) and when it remains the best choice.

Who it’s for: data analysts and engineers who want practical options for visualising location data in Fabric.

Know what to use when: clear guidance on the 5 Fabric visualisation options for location data. Learn by demo: hands-on patterns for GeoPandas, embedded Power BI, KQL visuals, and real-time dashboards. Ship better maps: choose the right experience for your scenario and team to deliver clearer, faster insights.