How to embed Power BI bar chart into an automated email using Power Automate? Premium needed?

[GanesaMoorthyGM]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently automating an email using Power Automate.
My goal is to send:
✔️ An HTML table (already completed)
✔️ A bar chart from my Power BI report embedded directly in the email body

I have Power BI Premium Per User, but only the free version of Power Automate.

I’m stuck at the step where I need to add the bar chart to the email.
From what I understand, this involves using Export to File for Power BI Reports → PNG.

So my questions are:
1️⃣ Do we need a Power Automate Premium license to export a Power BI visual (PNG) and embed it in the email?
2️⃣ If yes, is there any workaround using PPU + PA Free?
3️⃣ What is the correct way to compose and attach a bar chart visual inside the email body?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[MattiaFratello · Accepted solution]

Hi @GanesaMoorthyGM ,  

Exporting a PNG from a Power BI report via the “export to file” action requires the report to be in a Premium/Fabric capacity workspace, not just PPU. The blocker is the workspace capacity, not a missing Power Automate Premium license.​

• With PPU + Power Automate Free, you cannot natively export a regular Power BI report visual to PNG and embed it in an automated email; only paginated exports are supported under PPU, and those are PDF/Excel‑style, not inline PNG visuals.​

• To embed a chart in the email body without Premium capacity, you need a workaround outside this export action (for example, generate the PNG with Python from the same data, store it, then have Power Automate send it as an inline <img> in your HTML email).

If this helped, please mark as Answer and give kudos 👍

[danextian · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, exporting a Power BI report as a PNG with Power Autoamte requires premium.

[MattiaFratello · Accepted solution]

@GanesaMoorthyGM I believe with Premium Capacity (not PPU) you should be able.

I do not see Premium required on the Power Automate Interface:

[v-tejrama · Accepted solution]

Hi  @GanesaMoorthyGM ,

This scenario is not supported with Premium Per User. To embed a Power BI bar chart image in the body of an automated email, Power Automate relies on the Power BI export to file capability, and exporting visuals as an image is only available when the report is hosted in a workspace backed by a full Premium capacity.

PPU does not provide access to that export functionality, even though it supports other Premium features. Because of this, no Power Automate configuration or licensing on its own can enable the image export when the report is in a PPU workspace. To achieve the outcome you are looking for, the report would need to be moved to a workspace assigned to Premium capacity, after which the visual can be exported as an image and embedded in the email body.

Thank you.

[v-tejrama]

Hi @GanesaMoorthyGM ,

I wanted to follow up and see if you had a chance to review the information shared. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to reach out.

Thank you.

[MattiaFratello · Accepted solution]

Hi @GanesaMoorthyGM ,  

Exporting a PNG from a Power BI report via the “export to file” action requires the report to be in a Premium/Fabric capacity workspace, not just PPU. The blocker is the workspace capacity, not a missing Power Automate Premium license.​

• With PPU + Power Automate Free, you cannot natively export a regular Power BI report visual to PNG and embed it in an automated email; only paginated exports are supported under PPU, and those are PDF/Excel‑style, not inline PNG visuals.​

• To embed a chart in the email body without Premium capacity, you need a workaround outside this export action (for example, generate the PNG with Python from the same data, store it, then have Power Automate send it as an inline <img> in your HTML email).

If this helped, please mark as Answer and give kudos 👍

[GanesaMoorthyGM]

Thanks @MattiaFratello for your response, So if i have premium capacity then it is possible right? or once again we need to go for any power automate premium or in free version itself it is possible or not. Kindly let me know for my further progress

[MattiaFratello · Accepted solution]

@GanesaMoorthyGM I believe with Premium Capacity (not PPU) you should be able.

I do not see Premium required on the Power Automate Interface:

[danextian · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, exporting a Power BI report as a PNG with Power Autoamte requires premium.