Auto/ Schedule Refresh for Excel based data source on report server.

[Anonymous]

Hi Guys, 

Wanted to check if there is any way by refersh the excel based data source reports on report server?

Currently we download the report first and then refersh the in Power Bi Desktop and then upload them again. 

Data source cant be migrated to sql due to some org/client restrication and policies.

@amitchandak @Fowmy @parry2k 

[Icey · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous ,

Just as what @d_gosbell mentioned, if a File or Folder data source is used and the file path is a local path (e.g. C:\Users\user\Documents), then a refresh plan cannot be created. The path must be a path the report server can connect to like a network share. For example, \myshare\Documents.

For sharing a fileover a network in Windows 10, please refer: File sharing over a network in Windows 10 (microsoft.com). Then you can set scheduled refresh for reports.

Best Regards,

Icey

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[d_gosbell]

Yes it is possible to schedule a report using a file based data source like Excel.

The only "trick" is that you have to put the file in a location that the server has access to like a network drive. And you have to use the UNC path (eg. \\server\share_name) not a mapped drive like G:\ . The reason for this is that drive mapping can be configured differently for each user and they are usually mapped when the user logs in to the desktop and the service account running PBIRS does not logon to an interactive session.

Once you've setup your file source with a UNC path in Power BI Desktop and re-published the report to the server the option to schedule a refresh should be enabled.