1.Automate File Reception
You can use tools like Power Automate (formerly Microsoft Flow) to automate the process of receiving files. Here's how:
For Local Storage:
Set up a Power Automate flow to monitor a specific email inbox or a folder in OneDrive/SharePoint.
Trigger: When a new email arrives with an attachment or when a new file is added to a specific folder.
Action: Save the attachment to a designated local folder.
For SharePoint:
Set up a Power Automate flow to monitor a specific SharePoint document library.
Trigger: When a new file is created or modified in the library.
Action: Move or copy the file to a specific folder within SharePoint.
2. Prepare Files for Power BI
Ensure the files are in a format that Power BI can easily read. This usually means having a consistent structure and naming convention.
3. Connect Power BI to the Data Source
Local Files:
Open Power BI Desktop.
Go to Home > Get Data > File > Excel/CSV.
Browse to the local folder where the files are saved and select the file.
SharePoint Files:
Open Power BI Desktop.
Go to Home > Get Data > SharePoint Folder.
Enter the URL of your SharePoint site and navigate to the document library where the files are stored.
4. Automate Data Refresh
Scheduled Refresh: Set up a scheduled refresh in Power BI Service to ensure your reports are updated with the latest data.
Publish your Power BI report to the Power BI Service.
Go to the dataset settings and configure the scheduled refresh.
Example Power Automate Flow for SharePoint:
Trigger: When a file is created or modified in a SharePoint library.
Action: Copy the file to another SharePoint folder or a local folder.
Example Power Automate Flow for Email Attachments:
Trigger: When a new email arrives with an attachment.
Action: Save the attachment to a specific folder in OneDrive or SharePoint.
By setting up these automated workflows, you can streamline the process of receiving and processing flat files, making it easier to keep your Power BI reports up-to-date with the latest data.
Best Regards
Saud Ansari
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