How to Access Files Uploaded to Report Server Directly?

[liewgm]

Hi,

I have PBI Report Server set up and running fine. Question is how do I access the files uploaded to the Report Server directly?

E.g. Pass an URL of an uploaded Excel (http://myServer/abc.xlsx) to Excel application to open it, make edits on the file and then save it back to PBI Report Server?

Thanks.

[jcollinson2001 · Accepted solution]

The file is stored as a binary object in the Report Server database. The Report Server API will allow you to open the file directly within Excel but not save it back.

To open the file, you'll need to find the GUID of your file, and put it into the following API call:

http://<your report server>/reports/api/v2.0/Resources(<your excel file's guid>)/Content/$value

Then open Excel and paste that URL into the File->Open window.

You will have to manually save and re-upload the file to store any changes.

[id013]

Hi,

I'm trying to do the same thing. I've uploaded an excel document to serve as a datasource but I can't get the GUID. How were you able to find it? 

[id013]

Hi never mind I was able to find it using the rest api catalogue items properties command.

[liewgm]

Thanks for the reply.

It worked on Excel but I was not able to connect to the Excel PowerPivot source from Report Builder (as a SSAS source).

Data Source = "http://<your report server>/reports/api/v2.0/Resources(<your excel file's guid>)/Content/$value"

Used to be able to do that in SharePoint (Data Source = "http://<sharePoint library>/myPowerPivot.xlsx"

Would still consider this an answer to the question though. Thanks.