Skip to main content
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Be one of the first to start using Fabric Databases. View on-demand sessions with database experts and the Microsoft product team to learn just how easy it is to get started. Watch now

Reply
Switto
Helper IV
Helper IV

Sharepoint list into PowerBI

Hello Everyone,

I am trying to connect a list which has thousands of line items and more than 100 columns. Still, After removing the unnecessary columns, my refresh takes 15-20 min.

 

I have connected the data like: Get Data>More>Other>ShrepointList>Entered the path>Connect>Choose the respective list>Edit and removed the unnecessary columns and close and Apply.

 

And, I have connected same SP list without removing the columns and it took the same time and same data around 235MB.

 

Is it my understanding correct to link the SP list and removing the columns or there is another way so I can save time in the refresh.

 

Thanks a ton

 

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Hi @Switto ,

When connecting SharePoint in power bi desktop, it can only connect to SharePoint Folder and SharePoint lists. Unfortunately, both of them could not connect the views instead of the lists. SharePoint Folder just show the files name, path, types and so on in desktop and SharePoint lists like what we have dicussed previously.

 

Perhaps you can submit the requirement to ideas and add your comments there to make this feature coming sooner: https://ideas.powerbi.com/forums/265200-power-bi-ideas

 

Best Regards,

Yingjie Li

 

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

 

View solution in original post

6 REPLIES 6
v-yingjl
Community Support
Community Support

Hi @Switto ,

You can try the following two ways :

  1. Spilt your data into some small size files in SharePoint;
  2. Replace the data source into which can produce underlying data in power bi desktop like SQL Server Database and so on.

 

Best Regards,

Yingjie Li

 

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

 

Hi Yingjie,

Thanks for the replay.

For the Sharepoint split option: Will it not again takes the same time while doing the refresh as it will talk to all the queries and show the results.

For the SQL part: We don't have access to servers nor we can request it.

Just checking, after removing the unnecessary columns, are these columns still active in the background and consuming data while refreshing hence consuming the same data and time?

Thanks

 

 

  

 

Hi @Switto ,

If you use SharePoint, even if you have removed unnecessary columns in power bi desktop and refresh it, these are still active in the background and will take the same refersh time because you just modify data in power bi desktop instead of SharePoint. 

 

Best Regards,

Yingjie Li

 

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

 

Sorry to bother you again..

Is there a way to connect the views instead of the lists. So we can give a particular view with only particular columns which are required and take less space?

 

Hi @Switto ,

When connecting SharePoint in power bi desktop, it can only connect to SharePoint Folder and SharePoint lists. Unfortunately, both of them could not connect the views instead of the lists. SharePoint Folder just show the files name, path, types and so on in desktop and SharePoint lists like what we have dicussed previously.

 

Perhaps you can submit the requirement to ideas and add your comments there to make this feature coming sooner: https://ideas.powerbi.com/forums/265200-power-bi-ideas

 

Best Regards,

Yingjie Li

 

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

 

Oh ok..Is there any other way to reduce the time taken??

 

Helpful resources

Announcements
Las Vegas 2025

Join us at the Microsoft Fabric Community Conference

March 31 - April 2, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Use code MSCUST for a $150 discount!

November Carousel

Fabric Community Update - November 2024

Find out what's new and trending in the Fabric Community.

Dec Fabric Community Survey

We want your feedback!

Your insights matter. That’s why we created a quick survey to learn about your experience finding answers to technical questions.