How to automatically refresh PBI desktop file!

Power BI
1

Hi everyone,

I have pbix desktop file which takes data from excel source. I have a requirement where I want to refresh data on the desktop file and not through Power BI service. So basically instead of clicking “Refresh All” in power query, can I automate refresh of PBI dataset to refresh after every 5 minutes? I found one solution in python but due to lack of documentation, I could not implement it. Has anyone tried any solution and got success?

Kind Regards,
Hafiz

2

can you store your excel file on OneDrive - Business –

“If you have OneDrive for Business and you sign into it with the same account you sign into Power BI with, this is by-far the most effective way to keep your work in Excel and your dataset, reports, and dashboards in Power BI in-sync. Because both Power BI and OneDrive are in the cloud, Power BI connects to your workbook file on OneDrive about every hour. If any changes are found, your dataset, reports, and dashboards are automatically updated in Power BI. Just like if you saved your workbook to a local drive, you can also use Publish to update your dataset and reports in Power BI immediately; otherwise Power BI will automatically synchronize, usually within an hour.”

1 Like
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Hi @hafizsultan, we aim to consistently improve the topics being posted on the forum to help you in getting a strong solution faster. While waiting for a response, here are some tips so you can get the most out of the forum and other Enterprise DNA resources.

  • Use the forum search to discover if your query has been asked before by another member.
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  • Include the masked demo pbix file, images of the entire scenario you are dealing with, screenshot of the data model, details of how you want to visualize a result, and any other supporting links and details.

I also suggest that you check the forum guideline How To Use The Enterprise DNA Support Forum. Not adhering to it may sometimes cause delay in getting an answer.

Please also check the How To Mask Sensitive Data thread for some tips on how to mask your pbix file.

4

Hi @C9411010,

Thanks for your kind response, but unfortunately it does not solve my problem. I want to automatically update power bi desktop file after every 5 minutes and that data is not in the cloud.

Kind Regards,
Hafiz

5

there is an old chain on the site where multiple options were discussed… hopefully some of the options discussed on this chain may provide you with a viable alternative.
thank you

6

Install powerbi report server on the machine that has the desktop file. Then in Power BI, publish the report there.

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Hi @hafizsultan , did the response provided by the users and experts help you solve your query? If not, how far did you get and what kind of help you need further? If yes, kindly mark the thread as solved. Thanks!

8

for this you need a pro license that will include the incremental refresh.

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Hi there,
OneDrive for Business, or SharePoint Online located Excel files can be automatically refreshed.

  • All online data sources shown in Power BI Desktop’s Get Data and Query Editor.

I hope the following articles can be benefit of you:

Good luck

10

Hi @hafizsultan, we’ve noticed that no response has been received from you since the 4th of January. We just want to check if you still need further help with this post? In case there won’t be any activity on it in the next few days, we’ll be tagging this post as Solved. If you have a follow question or concern related to this topic, please remove the Solution tag first by clicking the three dots beside Reply and then untick the checkbox. Thanks!

11

Thanks everyone for your valuable inputs. For that particular requirement I had excel vba which would refresh data after every one minute. I implemented auto clicker to refresh button to refresh it after every 1/5 minutes.

Kind Regards,
Hafiz

1 Like
12

Hi @hafizsultan, did the response provided by the users and experts help you solve your query? If not, how far did you get and what kind of help you need further? If yes, kindly mark the thread as solved. Thanks!

13

Hi @hafizsultan, we’ve noticed that no response has been received from you since the 7th of January. We just want to check if you still need further help with this post? In case there won’t be any activity on it in the next few days, we’ll be tagging this post as Solved. If you have a follow question or concern related to this topic, please remove the Solution tag first by clicking the three dots beside Reply and then untick the checkbox. Thanks!

14

A response on this post has been tagged as “Solution”. If you have a follow question or concern related to this topic, please remove the Solution tag first by clicking the three dots beside Reply and then untick the check box. Thanks!

15

Automatic page refresh is available for DirectQuery sources and some LiveConnect scenarios, so it will only be available when you are connected to a supported data source. This restriction applies to both automatic page refresh types.

To use automatic page refresh in Power BI Desktop, select the report page for which you want to enable automatic page refresh. In the Visualizations pane, select the Formatting button (a paint roller) and find the Page refresh section near the bottom of the pane.

automatic-page-refresh-01
automatic-page-refresh-011305×944 71.6 KB

  1. Turns page refresh on or off.
  2. Refresh type
  3. Inputs and information (depending on refresh type)

The Page refresh card will only be available if you are connected to a DirectQuery source. To enable automatic page refresh the toggle needs to be on the On position. The inputs needed and information provided will depend on the refresh type selected.