PowerBI REST API - Extract the underlying data model of report pages/visualizations

[verdan]

To extract the underlying data model of a report, and which PowerBI Tables and Columns are being used within a report, we’ve been utilizing the REST API to export reports in .pbix format.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/power-bi/reports/export-report-in-group

Unfortunately, in some cases, I’ve encountered difficulties when attempting to extract the underlying data model of larger reports, particularly when dealing with large dataset storage formats (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/enterprise/service-premium-large-models) we get the error ServerError_PremiumFilesErrors_OperationIsNotSupportedForPremiumFilesModel.

Given these challenges, I am eager to understand how I can effectively work with massive reports or the ones that utilize large data formats.

Are there specific strategies or best practices that I should consider to mitigate the limitations posed by exporting such reports? 

Alternatively, I am keen to explore other methods for accessing the underlying data model of report pages/visualizations without solely relying on exporting reports. Is there a preferred approach or alternative solution that would enable me to retrieve this crucial information effectively?

[lbendlin]

Read about PBIP, TMDL, Git integration and general CI/CD guidelines.

[verdan]

@lbendlin thanks for your message, as I understood, downloading or exporting a report (via API) using PBIP is not yet supported. 

https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Developer/Export-API/m-p/3549748

[lbendlin]

It's the other way round. Start with the PBIP before you publish.

[verdan]

There are a couple of issues here:
- I have hundreds of reports, and it is not viable to re-publish all reports to pbip. 
- Even if I publish this as PBIP, I cannot download the report as .pbip via the API.