report builder refresh

Hey powerbiexpert22,

Report Builder operates on a direct query model when connecting to Excel files hosted on SharePoint, similar to live connections rather than data import functionality.

Key Points:

• Live Connection: Report Builder establishes real-time connectivity to the Excel file on SharePoint
• No Data Import: Unlike Power BI Desktop, no data is cached or stored locally within the report
• Dynamic Refresh: Each report execution pulls current data directly from the SharePoint source
• Performance Consideration: Query response time depends on SharePoint server performance and file size

Recommended Solutions:

• Optimize Data Source: For large datasets, consider migrating from Excel to SQL Server or Azure SQL Database for better query performance
• Configure Timeouts: Adjust report execution timeout settings to accommodate SharePoint response times
• Permission Management: Verify that Report Builder service accounts maintain appropriate read permissions for the SharePoint directory
• Implement Caching: Enable report-level caching for scenarios where data updates are infrequent to improve user experience
• Monitor Performance: Track query execution times and implement data source optimization if response times exceed acceptable thresholds

Additional Considerations:

• SharePoint connection stability may impact report reliability
• Network latency between Report Builder server and SharePoint can affect performance
• Consider implementing error handling for connection timeout scenarios

This approach ensures data freshness but requires careful performance tuning for optimal user experience.

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Best Regards,
Jainesh Poojara | Power BI Developer