This video explains how to set up Node.js to develop custom visuals for Power BI. This is video #2 of the Power BI Custom Visual Development Fundamentals series, please check the playlist below for the set.

Video Transcript:

OK, let’s get your machine ready to rumble.

There are a number of software packages you need to install on your machine before you start creating custom visuals.

First, you will need to install the Node Package Manager.

If you haven’t heard of it, Node.js is an open-source JavaScript runtime environment for developing highly scalable web applications.

While you don’t need to learn Node.js to develop custom visuals, its package manager will allow you to download and setup the additional modules you need with very little fuss.

To download Node.js you can go to nodejs.org and click on the big green button for your system.

I suggest you download the long-term support release as this will likely be more stable and you only really need the package manager itself.

Now, I’m on a Windows machine here, but you can install Node.js on your Mac or Linux box as well.

You don’t need Windows to use Node.js or to develop Power BI visuals for that matter, Mac and Linux work just as well.

The installation is very simple and is mostly next, next, next.

Once the installation is complete, you can verify it by opening a command line and typing node –version.

If you see a version number here, the installation was successful and you’re now ready to download the Power BI Developer Tools.