Forum Discussion
Clicking a file:// URL doesn't work
My dataset contains a column with a hyperlink to jpg image files (see pic below), but clicking the hyperlink doesn't open the file. Pasting the same path into a browser or File Explorer works just fine.
PS: I am doing all this in PowerBi desktop, haven't published to the service yet.
Any idea what I am doing wrong?
ChrisBirmele wrote:
My dataset contains a column with a hyperlink to jpg image files (see pic below), but clicking the hyperlink doesn't open the file. Pasting the same path into a browser or File Explorer works just fine.
PS: I am doing all this in PowerBi desktop, haven't published to the service yet.
Any idea what I am doing wrong?
See the limitation in official blog .
If you want to use file URLs, there are some limitations. They will not open in the Power BI Desktop, only in web browsers. For most browsers, you will need to right click on the link, copy the link address, and paste the URL in a new tab.
10 Replies
EarosenfeldAdvocate II
Will Power BI ever fix this inconvenience? Most application allow for hyperlinks to be accessible; I don't see the reason why Power BI would prevent this other than laziness.
- pborah
Solution Sage
Latter half of September 2020, is there any update on this?
You can make it work if you (or your client) have the chrome browser. Use the extension 'enable local file links'. It worked for me (also credits to my client IT guy Niels) to show PDF's (invoices) in browser. The power BI users have to have access to the local folder with files. Be aware the power bi user can see all files by the root-folder. Also if it is good it is limited to the Power Bi service access within the organization workspace and not accessible from outside login
Eric_ZhangMicrosoft Employee
ChrisBirmele wrote:
My dataset contains a column with a hyperlink to jpg image files (see pic below), but clicking the hyperlink doesn't open the file. Pasting the same path into a browser or File Explorer works just fine.
PS: I am doing all this in PowerBi desktop, haven't published to the service yet.
Any idea what I am doing wrong?
See the limitation in official blog .
If you want to use file URLs, there are some limitations. They will not open in the Power BI Desktop, only in web browsers. For most browsers, you will need to right click on the link, copy the link address, and paste the URL in a new tab.
any update on this? Im very interested in a solution!
I got this to work in Chrome and latest Edge after installing the enable local files addin
There is an update on this?
