Share report and have on-demand refresh?

[amalm]

Hi, 

I want to share a report with my clients who will view it on the Power BI website or the Windows app (the light one, not the editor application). 

The data is realtime and I want to give them the option to refresh the data whenever they want.

Is this possible? Right now I'm on a pro plan. 

Thanks.

[v-easonf-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi , @amalm 

You can almost achieve "real-time" , if your data source support DirectQuery or Connect Live.Power BI does not import the data, you don't need to run a data refresh.Each time when you  interact with visuals, data will be updated. 

In addition ,you can consider  Real-time steaming in powerbi.

Power BI with real-time streaming lets you stream data and update dashboards in real time. Any visual or dashboard created in Power BI can display and update real-time data and visuals.

Best Regards,
Community Support Team _ Eason

[amalm]

Thanks @v-easonf-msft for the reply.

But most of my data is through HTTP APIs from a custom application. I understand that DirectQuery or Connect Live don't support API sources? What's the best way to get refreshes on demand?

If I build a basic dashboard in Excel PowerQuery/ PowerPivot, I'm able to refresh it on demand. I wish I could do this with Power BI apps as well. 

[collinq]

Hi @amalm ,

You can share a report with external users that have a Pro License.  And, they will view it on the URL.  Depending on the permissions that you give them depends on what they can do and which level (app, workspace, dashboard, report, dataset) they can see.  This is how you share:  https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/collaborate-share/service-share-dashboards

As for refreshing, if you have realtime data then by definition you wont need manual refresh.  if you want them to refresh at will, that can be part of the sharing as outlined in the article above.

I would appreciate Kudos if my response was helpful. I would also appreciate it if you would Mark this As a Solution if it solved the problem. Thanks!