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Understanding Microsoft Fabric Chargeback and Capacity Metrics Apps: Roles and Setup in Azure and Entra

  • aferencz21
  • Aug 25
  • 2 min read

As organizations adopt Microsoft Fabric to unify their data estate, two key apps help manage and monitor resource usage: the Microsoft Fabric Chargeback app and the Fabric Capacity Metrics app. These tools empower admins to track consumption, optimize performance, and implement fair cost allocation across teams.


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Microsoft Fabric Chargeback App


The Chargeback app is designed to provide turnkey insights into how different teams or workloads consume Fabric capacity. It supports internal cost attribution by surfacing usage patterns across capacities, enabling organizations to implement chargeback policies that reflect actual consumption.


Setup and Access Requirements

To install and use the Chargeback app:

  • You must be an admin of at least one Fabric capacity in your organization.

  • The app is installed via Microsoft AppSource or directly through the Power BI service.

  • It should be deployed in a workspace with a Pro license to avoid throttling due to overutilization.


Once installed, users must connect the app to their data sources to replace sample data with live metrics. Admins can choose to upgrade the app, update only the workspace, or install a new copy in a separate workspace depending on their operational needs.


Microsoft Fabric Capacity Metrics App


The Capacity Metrics app offers a comprehensive view of how Fabric capacities are performing. It tracks compute usage, throttling events, and query rejections, helping admins make informed decisions about scaling and resource allocation.


Setup and Access Requirements

To install and use the Capacity Metrics app:

  • You must be a Fabric capacity admin to install and view the app.

  • Installation is done via AppSource or the Power BI service, similar to the Chargeback app.

  • The app aggregates telemetry across workloads into a unified dashboard, making it easier to monitor performance and identify bottlenecks.


Role Requirements in Azure and Entra

To deploy and manage these apps effectively, specific roles are required in both Azure and Microsoft Entra ID.


In Azure:

  • Subscription Owner: The person deploying Fabric must own the Azure subscription where the capacity will reside.

  • Power BI Pro License: The deploying user must have at least a Pro license to enable Fabric features in the workspace.


In Entra ID:

  • Entra Admin or Global Admin: Needed to assign users to roles like Fabric Admin and ensure proper access to Azure resources.

  • Fabric Capacity Admin Role Assignment: This can be scoped to specific capacities, allowing granular control over who can install and manage apps like Chargeback and Metrics.


Both the Chargeback and Capacity Metrics apps are essential for organizations looking to manage Microsoft Fabric efficiently. They provide visibility into usage, support cost accountability, and help prevent performance degradation due to overutilization. Ensuring the right roles are in place across Azure and Entra is critical to unlocking their full potential.


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