Forum Discussion
Exporting data with worng layout
Hello ,
I'm facing an issue.
When choosing to export data from a matrix visual in a powerbi publised report, and the user selects the option "Data with current layout":
the exported data does not mirror the visual as it should when the values in the matrix table are set to rows (default is columns)
Basically, in the report the user can visually see values in row format, but once exported to excel they are switched back to the default column format, which defeats the purpose of this function which is suppose to maintain the layout.
Do you know why and do you have a solution ?
thank you
Hi Domenico96
This is not a development error but a known limitation of the “Export data with current layout” option in Power BI. When exporting a matrix visual, the export engine can handle hierarchies or flat rows but cannot reproduce the layout where measures are placed in rows instead of columns. The export process flattens the matrix into a pivot-like table, which is why the exported Excel file always shows measures as columns even when the visual displays them as rows.
More details are available in Microsoft’s documentation under “Limitations”:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/visuals/power-bi-visualization-export-data?tabs=powerbi-desktop#limitationsPossible workarounds:
• Create a table visual that mimics the desired row layout using dynamic measures or calculation groups.
• Build the export using a Paginated Report (Report Builder) for full layout control.
• Use third-party visuals such as Zebra BI or Inforiver, which support more flexible export structures.If this post helps, then please consider Accepting it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly
2 Replies
Hi Domenico96
Use a Paginated Report to export the matrix exactly as it appears in the report.
Or create a separate table visual in the report that mirrors the desired row layout for export.
Temporary alternative: export the Underlying data and rearrange it in Excel.
Try these solutions and let me know if you need further clarification
If this response was helpful, please accept it as a solution and give kudos to support other community membersHi Domenico96
This is not a development error but a known limitation of the “Export data with current layout” option in Power BI. When exporting a matrix visual, the export engine can handle hierarchies or flat rows but cannot reproduce the layout where measures are placed in rows instead of columns. The export process flattens the matrix into a pivot-like table, which is why the exported Excel file always shows measures as columns even when the visual displays them as rows.
More details are available in Microsoft’s documentation under “Limitations”:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/visuals/power-bi-visualization-export-data?tabs=powerbi-desktop#limitationsPossible workarounds:
• Create a table visual that mimics the desired row layout using dynamic measures or calculation groups.
• Build the export using a Paginated Report (Report Builder) for full layout control.
• Use third-party visuals such as Zebra BI or Inforiver, which support more flexible export structures.If this post helps, then please consider Accepting it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly
