Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our products and services.
Are there any extra costs for visuals or add‑ons?
No. There are no hidden costs. All Freedom Solutions reports work with free Power BI Desktop and do not require paid custom visuals, external add‑ons, or additional licences.
Can I use these solutions starters/templates commercially in my organisation?
Yes, templates are licensed for individual use within your organisation. You can adapt them for your own projects and learning. If your colleagues or friends would benefit, please invite them to visit our website so they can download their own latest copy.
Do Freedom Solutions reports use third-party custom visuals?
No. We do not use any third‑party custom visuals.
All Freedom Solutions reports use only Microsoft’s native Power BI visuals. The only exception is one visual - the Gantt chart - which is custom‑built using Microsoft’s open‑source Power BI Gantt visual (MIT licence).
Do I get future updates if I’ve already purchased a report or sample data?
Yes. All Freedom Solutions products, including paid and free products, come with free lifetime updates. If we improve, fix or enhance a report or dataset in the future, you will automatically receive the updated version at no additional cost.
Do I need coding skills to use these Power BI solution starters/templates?
No coding required! Our solution starters/templates are designed for beginner to intermediate Power BI users. Power Query steps are clearly documented.
Do I need Power BI Pro to use these the report solutions starters/templates?
No, you can use the free version of Power BI Desktop to open and customise our templates.
Do I need the sample data to use your Power BI Solution Starters?
No. You can use your own Excel, SharePoint, OData or Power BI supported data sources with our Solution Starters. The sample data is simply an optional resource for people who want to explore the reports, learn Power BI, test ideas or train without using live project information.
Do you offer custom configuration or regional localisation services?
Yes! Alongside our standalone Power BI sample reports, we offer fixed-fee micro-consulting services to tailor, personalise, and regionalise specific reports. These services are delivered via a secure, metadata-only process within 48 business hours. You can find our active service listings in our main navigation menu, or contact us directly for a custom quote.
How often are the solutions starters/templates and sample data updated?
All starters/templates and sample data are updated quarterly to reflect the latest Power BI Desktop features and improvements.
What file formats do Freedom Solutions' Solution Starters/Templates use?
Our templates are provided as Power BI Desktop (.pbix) files. Sample data is provided in Excel (.xlsx) format.
What's the difference between the free status report and the paid versions?
The paid version includes more features, working sample data integration, and documented Power Query transformations. The free version is a conceptual guide for learning.
Why do you charge for sample data?
Our sample data is professionally structured to match real project, portfolio and delivery reporting. It takes time and expertise to build realistic relationships, milestones, hierarchies and PMO fields that make the reports work correctly. Charging for it allows us to maintain high‑quality, ready‑to‑use datasets that save you setup time and help you understand the reports immediately.
Will I need to install any external visuals to use your reports?
No. Everything works out‑of‑the‑box in Power BI Desktop and the Power BI Service. No downloads, no add‑ons, no external dependencies.