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Export PBIX Files

Download one or more Power BI reports as .pbix files, packed in a ZIP archive on your computer, with Archive content... in the Power BI Explorer.

How it works

The MetaMiner Server (MMS) calls the Power BI export API for each selected report with the MetaMiner app's identity, packs the downloaded .pbix files into one ZIP archive and streams it to your computer. You choose for each export whether the files include the semantic model or connect live to it:

Answer to the prompt Download type Result
Yes Live connection The .pbix holds the report only and connects live to the semantic model in the service
No With model The .pbix includes the semantic model, as Power BI allows for that report

Files inside the ZIP use the file name Power BI returns, usually the report name.

Before you begin

  • The MetaMiner app has access to the workspace that holds the reports. See Workspace Access.
  • Power BI allows the report to be downloaded. Microsoft blocks download for some reports, for example reports in some storage or refresh configurations; check the report's download option in the Power BI portal.
  • You have room on disk for the archive. Reports with large models produce large files.

TODO: link the Microsoft Learn page on report download limitations

Source to check: Microsoft Learn, "Download a report from the Power BI service to Power BI Desktop".

Steps

  1. In the Power BI Explorer, select one or more reports in the same workspace. Use quick search or Item Types: Report to find them. Reports from different workspaces cannot be exported together.
  2. Right-click and choose Archive content....
  3. Answer the prompt that begins Archive content with LiveConnect: Yes for live-connected files, No to download with the model.
  4. In Save as ZIP, choose a folder and file name, then click Save. Confirm if the file already exists. For one report the name defaults to the report name; for several it defaults to files.zip.
  5. Wait for the download, or click Run in Background to keep working. When it finishes, the client shows where the file was saved; click the link to open the folder.

Image of the Archive content with LiveConnect prompt over the Power BI Explorer with three reports selected

../../images/client/pbi-archive-content-prompt.png

Verify

  1. Open the ZIP archive. It holds one .pbix file per report.
  2. Open a file in Power BI Desktop. A live-connected file shows the connection to the semantic model in the service.

Troubleshooting

Archive content... is not on the menu

The selection contains rows other than reports, or reports from more than one workspace or environment. Select reports from a single workspace.

The export fails or a report is missing from the archive

Power BI refused the download for that report, or the MetaMiner app has no access to the workspace. Check the report's download option in the Power BI portal and the app's workspace role. The MMS log records the Microsoft error; see Log Files.

The download stops when the client disconnects

The archive streams to the client. Reconnect and export again.

Next steps