"Direct Access" Permissions Need to Update AUTOMATICALLY for PowerBI Reports in Apps

[shunt-x]

I need for "Direct Access" Permissions to update AUTOMATICALLY for PowerBI reports for that app's Audience that are in Workspaces Published to Apps.

It is unacceptable that this is not an option when publishing the app to an app audience rather than publishing an app and using Workspace Users.  

This is CRITICAL.  Here is the work around Chat GPT gives which is ridiculous.

Microsoft please fix ASAP.

Use the Power BI REST API or Admin Portal to Grant Build Access Automatically

Best for scale (dozens of reports / multiple apps)

You can automate dataset permissions with the Power BI REST API:

Endpoint

 

POST https://api.powerbi.com/v1.0/myorg/datasets/{datasetId}/permissions

Body

 

{ "principal": { "email": "YourADGroup@domain.com", "principalType": "Group" }, "datasetUserAccessRight": "Build" }

Script this (PowerShell, Python, or Azure Logic App) to:

• Loop through all datasets in your target workspace(s)

• Grant Build to the same AD groups used as App Audiences

  💡 Microsoft’s Power BI PowerShell module (Add-PowerBIDatasetUser) can do this easily.

  Pros

  • Central automation — one script updates all datasets.

  • Works across multiple workspaces/apps.

    Cons

    • Requires Power BI Admin or dataset Owner permissions.

    • Needs a service principal or automation account.