Data snapshot of a semantic model with multiple model sources and other data sources

[Nickodemus]

Hi All, I have a challenge I'm hoping you all might be able to help come up with some ideas...

I need to create a report which will contain data sourced from multiple existing semantic models and other manual data sources (a couple of CSV/Excel files). Essentially, this is a high level report which pulls various reporting metrics into a single report, while still maintaining the ability to rollup various measures based on common dimensions. (i.e. it can't be a dashboard).

While i am able to achieve this in Power BI, my challenge is that i need to be able to stop the data from refreshing in the 'rollup' report. Many of the source models refresh regularly (e.g. every 2 hours), but for this new report i need to be able to take the data at a point in time, and freeze it (i.e. disconnect it from the sources, to prevent ongoing updates). I can't seem to figure out a way to achieve this - when i combined multiple sources into this main report i am forced to setup the connection as DirectQuery to the sources, so it updates as they update.

Are there other creative ways to achieve this?

If more info is needed, or context I can try to provide it.

Many thanks

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi @Nickodemus ,

Power BI currently does not have a way to automatically disconnect the data source or temporarily terminate automatic refresh through settings. You can only manually turn off refresh or manually disconnect the data source.
Do you want to refresh on Power BI Desktop or Power BI Service? 

If you are on Power BI Desktop, I see that you mentioned that your data source is in Direct Query mode, so you should be able to open Power Query. In Power Query, you can set which data sources are not involved in refresh and which data sources continue to refresh:
Uncheck the button for the data source that does not need to be refreshed.

If you are refreshing on Power BI Service, I recommend that you use the same on-premises data gateway to configure connections for all data sources you need to disconnect, and then set up a scheduled refresh. When you need to disconnect the report from the data source, you only need to turn off the on-premises data gateway service in the background of your computer to disconnect all data sources using the gateway at once. When you need to resume refreshing, just turn on the on-premises data gateway again.
Add or remove a gateway data source - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

Best Regards,
Dino Tao
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