Not able to refresh a Report

[bot552]

I have downloaded a report from Power BI Service that is only connected to the semantic model. I can only make data transformation changes in the dataset.
Now I have the problem that I cannot publish or save my report. No error message appears and no window to search for a place to store the report appears.

What could be the problem?

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi @bot552 

Here are some limitations and considerations for your reference:

Directly publishing a protected .pbix file from Power BI Desktop to the Power BI service is not supported for guest users, even if they have higher-level permissions. To update or publish reports from a protected .pbix file, guest users need to start from the Power BI service, using Get Data, for example.

The following storage mode conversions are not supported during republish:
If you first publish a report using Import mode, you won't be able to overwrite the report and the semantic model with a DirectQuery or Live Connect based report. This will not work.
If you first publish a report using a live connection, then change the storage mode or the target semantic model in Power BI Desktop, you won't be able to overwrite the report when you republish.

Here's a link for your reference:

Publish from Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

Best Regards

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

[freginier]

Hi there!

If the report is connected to a semantic model in Power BI Service, it is likely using a Live Connection. This means you cannot publish or save it as a separate file because it relies on the original dataset in Power BI Service.

Instead of "Save," try using "Save As" to save it as a new .PBIX file.

Also, go to Power BI Service → Settings → Manage Permissions.
Ensure that you have edit permissions on the dataset.

Hope this helps!

😁😁

[bot552]

I can't even save the report as a new .PBIX file. I can choose the location but as i hit save, nothing happens. When I attempted to publish the report, the pop-up windows where i can select a workspace did not appear either. I also tried clearing the cache but with no changes. 

Desktop Version: 2.140.1078.0 64-bit (Feb 2025)