Unable to save Power BI report

[DataViz_Ninja]

Hello everyone, 

recently I've been experiencing an issue saving PowerBI reports locally once there is a live connection to a data model in the Service. Indeed no way of saving the changes is possible. So also no possibility to save under a different file name, there is no reaction from PowerBI. The same happens as I close the Power PI desktop and I'm getting asked if I want to save the file, then I can push the button 'save' but nothing happens.

Saving files without live connection works fine as usual and without issue. 

Did anyone have similar issues and knows how to fix it?

Thanks for your support!

[yak_designid]

My most recent experience with this only happened when I started building a report as 'Untitled'. There was no way to save the report no matter what I did I had to delete the report from Task Manager. Problem only resolved when I created a new report, named it first before getting data. Hope that helps someone.

[rileyh]

Still having this issue in August 2025. I found that if I open TMDL view in PBI Desktop when I experience the issue, I'm then able to save the file... Doesn't make sense but did work for me.

[davidcwhitney]

This thread is already several days old and I'm sure there are many similar.  I hope this helps.  None of my crucial work files would apply changes or save.  Always hung at "Working on it".

I changed the settings on my personal OneDrive .pbix files to Always keep on this device and the problem went away.  Likely not a permanent fix but will prevent you from being dead in the water until you find one.

[mariussve1]

Hi,

I'm experiencing the exact same issue—I can't save my reports that have a live connection to a shared dataset in Power BI Desktop.

When I turned off the TMDL view preview feature, it started working again immediately.

Thanks a lot for the tip, @Kish1999 😄

PS! I'm using Power BI Desktop version 2.140.1351.0

[Selimo]

Hello ! I wanna try your solution but can't disable the TMDL view, how to turn it off please ?

[The_Bishop]

I had a ticket open with MS and the technician confirmed it was an issue with the Store version. I was advised to use the direct download version. However, this was before I had seen the comments about disabling TMDL view.

[Kish1999]

So i figured out why this is happening. If you have the TMDL view enabled in Power BI desktop this issue occurs. Once you disable it, it works just fine. We just need to figure out why TMDL view prevents any changes to the Live reports.

[Selimo]

How to disable it please ? @Kish1999 

[The_Bishop]

I think it's now GA, so I don't think you can disable it (I can't now, on the November 2025 version). Depends which verison you're on, though, I guess. It was in 'Preview features', under Options and Settings.

[Selimo]

Ok, thanks for the reply!

[kwaleed]

Thanks, I was experiencing the same issue and it was resolved by disabling TDML view

[Kish1999]

I am facing the same issue since last week. Have you been able to resolve it?

[DataViz_Ninja]

I just installed the Power BI Desktop from the MIcrosoft download center and using this version, there is no error. I can save the file, no issue and within seconds. Seems to be an issue with the version from the AppStore

[The_Bishop]

Thanks for that. I will have to resort to that for the time being, then.

[The_Bishop]

I am also seeing this. I have to get a colleague to open the report file to make the changes I need and then publish for me. So frustrating. This has only started for me in the last week or so, so can only assume it is to do with the Feb '25 update.

I end up having to kill PBI Desktop because I can't close it normally when this happens.

[freginier]

Hello @DataViz_Ninja,

The issue you're facing with saving Power BI reports when using a live connection to a data model in the Power BI Service is a known limitation. Here are a few things to consider and possible workarounds:

1. Check If the Report is a Thin Report

If you are using a live connection, try saving the report as a .PBIX file (File → Save As).
If it doesn’t allow you to save, it means you are working on a thin report connected directly to a dataset in Power BI Service.

2. Save as a Different File Format

Try exporting the report as a Power BI Template (.PBIT) instead (File → Export → Power BI Template).
This allows you to retain the report structure and reconnect later.

3. Update Power BI Desktop

Sometimes, Power BI Desktop has issues with saving when using live connections due to bugs in certain versions.
Try updating Power BI Desktop to the latest version from Microsoft Download Center.

4. Check Power BI Logs for Errors

You can check logs for potential error messages:
Press Windows + R → type %localappdata%\Microsoft\Power BI Desktop\Traces
Open the most recent log file and look for errors.

Hope this helps!

😁😁

[The_Bishop]

It is restricting me even changing the file type when saving (can only save to OneDrive or SharePoint, it doesn't let me use the most recent locations listed). Points 2, 3 and 4 above are covered (nothing in logs). Point 1 stands - it is a thin report, but I knew that already because I created it.