Getting Measures from previous uploaded DirectQuery Report

[Applicable88]

Hello,

I have created a PBI report which is based on the PBI user metrics. Those data were only available via DirectQuery, since they are from Microsoft. And since we needed customized analysis I used it as a source for an own report and also add a few Measures to that.

Since the report was uploaded I deleted the original file, because I thougth I can download all my reports from PBI Service at anytime, like all the other reports of mine. Now I recognized the report cannot be downloaded, only can be "copy as" instead of "Download report", only because its sourced is based on a DirectQuery.

Is there a possility to download the whole report, and if not is there a way to at least get to my measures? When I open the original report, I cannot even see my measures there, neither can I see my measure when I use that direct query source again for a new PBI report.

Thank you very much in advance.
Best.

 

[Ritaf1983 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Applicable88 

Unfortunately, in this scenario the behavior is expected and there is no supported way to recover the report or the measures.

When a report is built using DirectQuery to a Power BI dataset (especially a Microsoft-managed dataset such as User Metrics), the Power BI Service does not store the model or the DAX measures in a retrievable form. The PBIX file is the only place where report-level measures exist.

If the original PBIX was deleted, the measures are lost. “Copy report” only duplicates the visuals and layout; it does not expose or restore the model or the DAX. The measures will not appear in the original dataset, in a new DirectQuery report, or via any API or tool.

Power BI Service should not be treated as a backup or source-control system. For DirectQuery and thin reports, keeping the original PBIX file is mandatory.

For future work, the only safe approaches are to keep local PBIX backups or to place reusable measures in a dedicated dataset where possible.

If this post helps, then please consider Accepting it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly

[krishnakanth240 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Applicable88 

If a report uses a DirectQuery source then it cannot be downloaded from the Power BI Service and only Save a copy is available. Once the original PBIX is deleted, custom measures cannot be recovered or reused, as they arenot exposed by the source.

Safest approach is always keep a local copy of the PBIX, document DAX measures separately (or store them in a central repo) and where possible recreate key logic in a composite or Import model so measures remain portable and recoverable.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/service-export-to-pbix?utm_source=chatgpt....

[Ritaf1983 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Applicable88 

Unfortunately, in this scenario the behavior is expected and there is no supported way to recover the report or the measures.

When a report is built using DirectQuery to a Power BI dataset (especially a Microsoft-managed dataset such as User Metrics), the Power BI Service does not store the model or the DAX measures in a retrievable form. The PBIX file is the only place where report-level measures exist.

If the original PBIX was deleted, the measures are lost. “Copy report” only duplicates the visuals and layout; it does not expose or restore the model or the DAX. The measures will not appear in the original dataset, in a new DirectQuery report, or via any API or tool.

Power BI Service should not be treated as a backup or source-control system. For DirectQuery and thin reports, keeping the original PBIX file is mandatory.

For future work, the only safe approaches are to keep local PBIX backups or to place reusable measures in a dedicated dataset where possible.

If this post helps, then please consider Accepting it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly