It is extremely important to automate data refreshes in Power BI because they ensure that reports and dashboards display the most current information. This can, however, be done in several ways, depending on the hosted position (Power BI Service or on-premises Power BI Report Server) of the Power BI report and the type of data connection.
Power BI Service: If your report is cloud-based (Power BI Service), you are allowed to schedule an automatic refresh of data. To do this:
- After completing the report, Upload it to Power BI Service.
- Click Datasets and choose your dataset.
- Active Schedule Refresh and adjust the settings as desired (daily, weekly, etc.).
Make sure the credentials for your data source are provided and are not expired.
If it is an on-premises data source, you will also have to set up a Power BI Gateway to link cloud services and your on-premise data, in addition to providing the above-mentioned information and enabling refresh compatibility for the source.
Power BI Report Server: For on-premise installations of the Power BI Report Server, refresh options can also be scheduled through the Report Server interface, just as with the Power BI Service. This part is similar in the sense that the data sources need to be refreshed and enabled and proper credentials provided.
Scripting Options: You may also utilize additional methods to automate refreshes, such as PowerShell or the Power BI REST API. In PowerShell, the refresh operation can be automated through the Power BI Management cmdlets.
Firstly, run the Install-Module -Name PowerBIR -Scope CurrentUser command in PowerShell to install the Power BI module. Then, replace the command Refresh the dataset with the Invoke-PowerBIRestMethod command and refresh the dataset programmatically instead.
The Power BI REST API: The REST API allows for the refresh of datasets. This is also achievable, but a little bit of setup is involved, such as getting some access keys for APIs and enabling settings. These API calls can also be executed at a predetermined time through scripts or even employing Azure Automation services. Ultimately, either one can use built-in refresh strategies.
