Download & Modify a report from Power BI server which you don't have access to its data source

[alqithmi]

Hello Everyone,

Kindly I need your help to answer the below questions regarding PBIRS

Connection scenario

I have the following scenario: Usar A has access from his personal PC to "x data source", and he created a report by using the data from this "x data source". Then he uploaded this report to the PBIRS. Please notice that the PBIRS also has an access connection to the  "x data source",  and User B only has access to the PBIRS but not the "x data source".

1. If User B downloaded the report (which was created by User A) on his personal PC, can he has access to the "x data source" and refresh the report only because he has access to PBIRS?
2. Will User B be able to modify the report on his personal PC even if he doesn't have access to the data source of the report? if yes, then if he uploaded the report to the server again, will we be able to make the "pre-set refresh job" to refresh the report again?

Thank you so much in advance 😀

[KBO · Accepted solution]

Hi @alqithmi ,

first you have to differentiate between work on a report in Power BI Desktop and work on a report in Power Query. If the user downloads the report and is not permitted to the datasource he can't work in the Power Query editor. Also you can enable this function by giving the User the right roles or folders.

So yes the User can modify the reprot but only the frontend - switch the visuals make new KPIs etc. (if the datasource is imported otherwise it wont work because the user must authenticate if its a direct query).

Best,

Kathrin

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