Replicating an existing report to create a new report with a different data source

[CoreyPawlak]

I have a created a Power BI report using an Excel XLS dataset. I'd like to replicate the report, saving it a separate report and connecting it to a different Excel XLS dataset.  Ultimately, I need to have about 10 unique reports, each connected to different datasource, but all looking the same (the report has enough components that I'd prefer not to have to recreate the report for each dataset.)  My XLS's all have the same fields, but they're large enough and have different content curators, so it doesn't make sense to consolidate them into one huge XLS.

[Greg_Deckler]

You can save the desktop file as a separate file and then just change the data source in the Source step of the query.

[CoreyPawlak]

I'm not using the Desktop version of Power BI. When I click on the "..." next to my report, I don't have the option of saving the report, just Open, Share, Rename, Remove and Settings. I checked Settings, and there is a Dataset tab, but it doesn't provide the option to change the data source.

[v-yuezhe-msft]

Hi @CoreyPawlak,

In Power BI Service, we are not able to change data source of reports.

You can use Power BI Desktop to connect to a Excel file, then create reports. Then in the Power BI Desktop file, you can create a data source parameter, and create a Power BI Report template. This way, users can use the Power BI Report template to instantiate new Power BI Reports with different Excel data sources. For more details, please review the following blog and similar thread.

https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/deep-dive-into-query-parameters-and-power-bi-templates/
https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/How-to-create-a-template-with-a-different-data-source-every...

Thanks,
Lydia Zhang

[CoreyPawlak]

This is great information. One last question: is it possible to transfer the report I created in Power BI Service to Power Bi Desktop, or will I need to recreate the report?  Thank you!

[v-yuezhe-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @CoreyPawlak,

It is not possible to transfer report from Service to Power BI Desktop in your scenario, You would need to recreate the reports in Power BI Desktop.

Thanks,
Lydia Zhang