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Anonymous54000
Frequent Visitor

Allow user to choose files from folder

Hello,

I am creating a PBI report and right now data source is a whole folder with all excel files inside.


I would like to allow user to choose the files is interested for (loading all files is far less efficient). 
From what I see, solution could be related with some "parameters" but I havent found out how for now. Also currently, only me as "developer" is able to choose some specific files within Querry Editor.

With excel querry, I managed to allow user to choose himself which folder to display, but I am trying to do so directly to PowerBi.

Anonymous54000_0-1694081259035.png

 

Thanks !

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION
christinepayton
Super User
Super User

When you use the folder connector, it should add a column with the filename when the files are combined. If you just add that to a slicer or the filter pane, it should let them to filter the data by the filename. If you are worried about speed, you could use the query reduction setting for the slicer that makes them select something before the data will load. 

 

I don't think report-level parameters are something the viewers can interact with, they are more for report creators to easily swap things. Field parameters would work, but they're not necessary here if all you want to filter on is the filename.

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1 REPLY 1
christinepayton
Super User
Super User

When you use the folder connector, it should add a column with the filename when the files are combined. If you just add that to a slicer or the filter pane, it should let them to filter the data by the filename. If you are worried about speed, you could use the query reduction setting for the slicer that makes them select something before the data will load. 

 

I don't think report-level parameters are something the viewers can interact with, they are more for report creators to easily swap things. Field parameters would work, but they're not necessary here if all you want to filter on is the filename.

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