A 401 Unauthorized error when trying to rename a Dataflow in Power BI using the REST API usually points to an authentication or authorization problem. Key points to address to pinpoint the problem include the following:
1. Authenticating and Token Generation
Check that authentication follows Azure Active Directory (AAD). The following actions are to be taken:
Register an Azure AD App with API permissions for Power BI Service.
Use OAuth 2.0 flow to obtain access tokens.
Make sure you pass the token in the request with Authorization in its header.
Authorization: Bearer {access_token}
Content-Type: application/json
2. Needed API Permissions
Make sure the stated delegated or application privileges for the Azure AD app are.
Dataflow.ReadWrite.All (For modifying dataflows)
Workspace.ReadWrite.All (For editing objects in a workspace).
You can find these in Azure Portal > App Registrations > API Permissions.
3. Use the Right API Endpoint
It's to rename a Power BI Dataflow, and it's the Update Dataflow API:
PATCH https://api.powerbi.com/v1.0/myorg/groups/{groupId}/dataflows/{dataflowId}
{
"name": "New Dataflow Name"
}
Actual values must replace {groupId} and {dataflowId}.
4. Checking Power BI Tenant Settings
Check whether the settings of the Power BI Admin Tenant allow API access.
Power BI Admin Portal > Tenant Settings.
Ensure that the Allow service principals to use APIs option is enabled.
5. Account Role Verification in Workspace
Please ensure that your account (or service principal) has at least a Contributor or Admin Role in the workspace.
Troubleshooting Steps:
Try using Postman or PowerShell to decode the JWT token (using jwt.ms) for claims verification. Check whether it has necessitated scopes.
Alternatively, look at the Azure AD logs to see whether token requests are being denied.
