Forum Discussion
"Set Alert" not responding in report
When opening a report in my workspace, I am trying to set an alert on a KPI card.
Set alert -> Choose KPI card (and measure).
After this, the green progress bar just runs endlessly (marked with red in screendump), as if something is being calculated or refreshed. But it never stops, and I am thus unable to set the exact details for the alert.
The KPI card/measure is very simple, so I don't think it is a calculation or data-load issue.
I have tried on multiple reports, same outcome. I am also workspace admin, so shouldn't be a permissions issue.
I read somewhere that maybe it is license related. I have a Pro license.
But if a Fabric license is needed, I would expect that the option would be unavaliable or I would be informed somehow of this requirement.
Any tips or ideas here? Thanks 🙂
Hi m_jacobsen ,
I understand your frustration this could definitely be more transparent. This issue is likely license related. If you're using Microsoft Fabric, you get access to new alerting features, including setting targets on report visuals. However, if you have a Power BI Pro license, you are limited to classic alerts, which work only on dashboard tiles and have strict limitations like numeric only fields and no support for date/time.
The confusion arises because the UI still lets you open the alert pane, even when the feature isn't supported for your license type, but doesn't show any warning or clarification.
If your team plans to use these alert features frequently, assigning Fabric licenses or switching to Fabric enabled workspaces might be necessary. Microsoft is actively improving Fabric, so future updates may provide better messaging and clearer access information.
Hope this helps. If my response solved your query, please mark it as the Accepted solution to help others find it easily
4 Replies
Hi m_jacobsen ,
It seems the alert setup is stuck due to how Power BI handles alerts. Here are some key points to check.
- lerts work only on visuals pinned to a dashboard, not directly from a report. Ensure your KPI card is pinned to a dashboard.
- The field used for the alert must be numeric; date/time fields won’t work.
- Alerts won’t trigger with static data. The dataset needs to refresh regularly.
- A Pro license is sufficient, but only the creator of the alert can manage it co owners cannot.
- If using streaming datasets, the visual must first be built in a report and then pinned to a dashboard for alerts to function.
Double check that the measure you’re using is numeric and refreshed regularly. Then try setting up the alert again directly from the dashboard tile, not within the report.
For more details, refer to the official document below.
Set data alerts in the Power BI service - Power BI | Microsoft Learn
If my response resolved your query, kindly mark it as the Accepted Solution to assist others. Additionally, I would be grateful for a 'Kudos' if you found my response helpful.
Hi m_jacobsen ,
We haven’t received a response yet and want to ensure the solution met your needs. If you need any further assistance, feel free to reach out we’d be happy to help. If everything is working as expected, kindly mark it as Accepted as solution.
Thank You.
I have a colleague who has a fabric license, and he can set targets on the reports.
So I guess this might be a license type issue.
I just find it frustrating that this is not explained anywhere, the page just stalls when I try to set the alert.
I would expect either the feature to be disabled, or at least with an info box stating that "this is a fabric feature" 😞Hi m_jacobsen ,
I understand your frustration this could definitely be more transparent. This issue is likely license related. If you're using Microsoft Fabric, you get access to new alerting features, including setting targets on report visuals. However, if you have a Power BI Pro license, you are limited to classic alerts, which work only on dashboard tiles and have strict limitations like numeric only fields and no support for date/time.
The confusion arises because the UI still lets you open the alert pane, even when the feature isn't supported for your license type, but doesn't show any warning or clarification.
If your team plans to use these alert features frequently, assigning Fabric licenses or switching to Fabric enabled workspaces might be necessary. Microsoft is actively improving Fabric, so future updates may provide better messaging and clearer access information.
Hope this helps. If my response solved your query, please mark it as the Accepted solution to help others find it easily
