Hello fellow users,I am trying to convert a report from another BI product and I seriously cant figure out how I can make a link to a local file in power bi, I can find it for web urls.. but I want to press a link and open a file?

This is very basic functionality, I am shocked that PowerBI does not have it. Tableau has this feature and it works great there. Basically, we have a report with URLs in one column -- clicking on the link should either download the file or open the URL. I'm seeing requests and questions about this dating back to 2017, and still nothing?? Is there anyone at Microsoft who monitors this?

It's 2023. Is this an option yet? Something I could do in Excel and Tableau. I would like to do the same with Power BI.

Any news on this? I'm having the same issue. When I click on the link, nothing happens. I set its category as Web URL. This is the main stopper for a report I'm working on.

Shamatix Hi,You can use “file” link type. It looks like this in the picture. This is latest feature in may edition. Please reference these two links to find more.http://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/Can-not-hyperlink-to-file-in-computer/m-p/169095/highlight/true#M73851https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/power-bi-desktop-may-feature-summary/#urlTables Best Regards!Dale

Shamatix Hi, This feature isn't supported in Power BI desktop by far. Maybe it will be in the future. Here is cited from official blog:If you want to use file URLs, there are some limitations. They will not open in the Power BI Desktop, only in web browsers. For most browsers, you will need to right click on the link, copy the link address, and paste the URL in a new tab.Link: https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/power-bi-desktop-may-feature-summary/#urlTables Best regards!Dale

Link to Local file rather than a WEB URL? | Microsoft Fabric Community

17 Replies

Anonymous
Not applicable
5 years ago
This is very basic functionality, I am shocked that PowerBI does not have it. Tableau has this feature and it works great there. Basically, we have a report with URLs in one column -- clicking on the link should either download the file or open the URL. I'm seeing requests and questions about this dating back to 2017, and still nothing?? Is there anyone at Microsoft who monitors this?
bronson
New Member
3 years ago
It's 2023. Is this an option yet? Something I could do in Excel and Tableau. I would like to do the same with Power BI.
v-jiascu-msft
Microsoft Employee
9 years ago
Shamatix

Hi,
You can use “file” link type. It looks like this in the picture. This is latest feature in may edition. Please reference these two links to find more.
http://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/Can-not-hyperlink-to-file-in-computer/m-p/169095/highlight/true#M73851
https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/power-bi-desktop-may-feature-summary/#urlTables

Best Regards!
Dale
- Cristian_Angyal
  Most Valuable Professional
  7 years ago
  It's' working for me as FILE.
  Make sure to replace in Power Query every "\" with "/" and every " "(space) with "%20"
  Thanks.
  - NelsonCastillo
    Frequent Visitor
    7 years ago
    thanks a lot for this alternative
- Shamatix
  Post Partisan
  9 years ago
  v-jiascu-msft
  I tried doing that, and the links do become blue but I cant click em and open the file. I am using Power Bi Desktop.
  - v-jiascu-msft
    Microsoft Employee
    9 years ago
    Shamatix
    
    Hi,
    
    This feature isn't supported in Power BI desktop by far. Maybe it will be in the future. Here is cited from official blog:
    If you want to use file URLs, there are some limitations. They will not open in the Power BI Desktop, only in web browsers. For most browsers, you will need to right click on the link, copy the link address, and paste the URL in a new tab.
    Link: https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/power-bi-desktop-may-feature-summary/#urlTables
    
    Best regards!
    Dale
pcostapa
Frequent Visitor
5 years ago
Facing the same problem... file:// + not local file = syntax err. I'm trying to open a file:// url (it is not stored in my computer neither it is a shared folder but text box and button action gets a syntax err...

Any one with an idea of a work around?
MikelPC
Frequent Visitor
8 years ago
Hello, I've created an idea to support this feature improvement:

https://ideas.powerbi.com/forums/265200-power-bi-ideas/suggestions/33366481-open-local-files-file-directly-by-click-on-ur

Months are passing, and there is no improvemnt on url features since May 2017. For me is an important feature that can make more powerful the power bi.
Anonymous
Not applicable
7 years ago
Hey, Is there any update available where by click on the local folder link it shoul open it inthe browser automatically??
- cnschulz
  Helper IV
  7 years ago
  Gday,
  
  For me, this works in ie but not in chrome. Im using file://xx.xx.com.au/file.tif style links.
Anonymous
Not applicable
4 years ago
Hi All,
We had the same issue and used following steps to solve it:
STEP 1: Install an adding called 'Enable Local File Links' for Chrome.
STEP 2: Test and succeed!
The Chrome Add-In can be found here:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/enable-local-file-links/nikfmfgobenbhmocjaaboihbeocackld/related
All credits to my customer Tim V.C. 🙌.
- Anonymous
  Not applicable
  9 months ago
  Thank you for the response. Do you know if there are some alternative options? My company has block the access to this website.
Anonymous
Not applicable
5 years ago
amitchandak - I see you are listed as the Top Solution Author. This thread seems to indicate that there was a solution, but I am not seeing any. Please see my prior post and let me know if you have any suggestions or a solution. Thanks!
Rosa_Delgado
New Member
1 year ago
Hello,
Does anyone know how to sove it?
I am frustated because I can't open a file saved on a server from a Power BI report.