How to open a file from PowerBI service in PowerBI desktop?

[while-is-alex]

Hello,

I would like to know if there's a way to open a file directly from PowerBI service in PowerBI desktop. I am aware that I can download the file, but my question is if there is a way to open files from workspaces directly from PowerBI desktop, without downloading anything.

Thanks in advance!

[Sahir_Maharaj · Accepted solution]

Hello @while-is-alex,

Currently, there isn’t a direct way to open a Power BI report from the Power BI Service in Power BI Desktop without downloading it.

If you only need to access the data (not the report visuals) from the Power BI Service in Power BI Desktop, I recommend you to connect directly to Power BI datasets:

1. Open Power BI Desktop.
2. Go to Home > Get Data > Power BI datasets.
3. Select the dataset you want to connect to and create a new report on it.

Hope this helps!

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi @while-is-alex ,

As a supplement, direct file access between Power BI Desktop, a standalone desktop application, and Power BI Services, a cloud-based service, has not yet been realized.

For now, the best way to do this is:

• Downloading a file in Power BI Services: Log in to Power BI Services, locate the file you need, and download it to your local computer.
• Open the file in Power BI Desktop: Open Power BI Desktop, select File > Open, then locate the file you just downloaded and open it.

Best Regards,
Adamk Kong

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

[Sahir_Maharaj · Accepted solution]

Hello @while-is-alex,

Currently, there isn’t a direct way to open a Power BI report from the Power BI Service in Power BI Desktop without downloading it.

If you only need to access the data (not the report visuals) from the Power BI Service in Power BI Desktop, I recommend you to connect directly to Power BI datasets:

1. Open Power BI Desktop.
2. Go to Home > Get Data > Power BI datasets.
3. Select the dataset you want to connect to and create a new report on it.

Hope this helps!

[mattiasdesmet]

No, that is not possible. You can edit reports directly in the service, and you can open the model in the service, but you don't have all the options available in desktop.