Using audit logs and power shell to track usage of reports viewed from either desktop or bi service

[rizwan_naseer]

I need to come up with a method on tracking usage of reports we build for our clients. I am hoping to use power shell to automate retrieval of audit logs. Then used a scheduled task to email these logs to us. (All with agreement with the client of course).

1. Does this method work for both reports viewed through the desktop application and Power BI service? We will be using direct query so the database will reside on a server machine in the client's network.

2. Is there a better way to achieve what I want?

If you just want to point me to some documentation that would be great. Thanks.

[v-yuezhe-msft · Accepted solution]

@rizwan_naseer,

The method you describe can only work for reports viewed through Power BI Service. Auditing is a feature in Power BI Service, it is not available for Power BI Desktop. To automate retrieval of audit logs using PowerShell, you can review the official article below to get more details.

https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/powerbi-admin-auditing/

In addition, I haven't found any other better methods to automate retrieval of audit logs.

Regards,
Lydia

[rizwan_naseer]

Thank you for the reply. I just have one follow up question. Is there any way through MSBI that I can track usage of reports viewed through the desktop application. Even if it is something that is present on the client computer  (where the desktop app is used) I could then figure out some way to obtain it. The dataset they connect to will be on a different server (I doubt that will make a difference but thought I would let you know)

[v-yuezhe-msft]

@rizwan_naseer,

You may need to use Windows auditing feature.

http://www.techotopia.com/index.php/Auditing_Windows_Server_2008_File_and_Folder_Access

Regards,
Lydia