Update Paginated Report properties using Service Principal

[ys01]

We are trying to update the description of a paginated report using this API: Items - Update Paginated Report

When calling the URL using a service principal with client secret credentials, we get the following error:
Status: 400 Bad Request
{

    "errorCode": "UnknownError",

    "moreDetails": [],

    "message": "An unexpected error occurred while processing the request"

}

The API call is made like so:
curl --location --request PATCH 'https://api.fabric.microsoft.com/v1/workspaces/<workspaceId>/paginatedReports/<paginatedReportId>' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--header 'Authorization: Bearer <bearer_token>' \
--data '{
"description": "Update Description"
}'

The same error occurs using the Items - Update Item API when passing in a paginated report item Id. We don't get any errors using the Items - Update Report API or passing in a report Id into the Update Item API.

The service principal has Item.ReadWrite.All, PaginatedReport.ReadWrite.All and Report.ReadWrite.All scopes and is an Admin of the workspace.

[v-hashadapu]

Hi @ys01 , 

As haven’t heard back from you in a long while, we’re closing this thread per our follow-up policy. For any further discussions or questions, please start a new post in the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum — we’ll be happy to assist.

Thank you for being part of the Microsoft Fabric Community.

[v-hashadapu]

Hi @ys01, Hope your issue is solved. If it is, please consider marking the answer 'Accept as solution', so others with similar issues may find it easily. If it isn't, please share the details.
Thank you.

[ys01]

Still not working. Will try and raise a ticket

[v-hashadapu]

Hi @ys01, thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.

Thank you for the update. I hope your issue is resolved soon. Once it is, kindly share the insights here to assist others with similar questions.

Additionally, please consider marking the answer as 'Accept as Solution' to help others find it more easily.
Thank you.

[ys01]

I should add that using a Microsoft Entra User does work for the Items - Update Paginated Report endpoint. This is strange as the endpoint says it can be used by both User and Service Principal identities, but it only works for the former in our case.

[v-hashadapu · Accepted solution]

Hi @ys01 , thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.

Since using a Microsoft Entra User works, it confirms that the problem lies with the service principal. Given this, the best course of action would be to raise a support ticket with Microsoft. Provide the exact API call you’re making, the error message, all the troubleshooting steps you've already taken and confirmation that the service principal has the correct permissions and workspace admin role. This will help Microsoft investigate and address the issue with the Fabric REST API.

Below is the link to create Microsoft Support ticket:
How to create a Fabric and Power BI Support ticket - Power BI | Microsoft Learn.

If this helps, please consider marking it 'Accept as Solution' so others with similar queries may find it more easily. If not, please share the details.
Thank you.

[v-hashadapu]

Hi @ys01 , thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.

The API may not fully support updating the description of a paginated report when using a service principal. This could be due to a bug or incomplete implementation. Additionally, there might be internal checks or limitations when using service principals for this specific operation, even if the service principal has the required permissions.

Please Consider Below:

1. Try making the API call using a user account (e.g., a service account) with the same permissions (Item.ReadWrite.All, PaginatedReport.ReadWrite.All, and Report.ReadWrite.All). If this works, it confirms that the issue is specific to service principals.
2. If the API is not working, you can manually update the description of the paginated report using the Power BI Service UI. This can serve as a temporary workaround.
3. If the paginated report is hosted in Power BI (not Fabric), use the Power BI REST API to update the description:

curl --location --request PATCH 'https://api.powerbi.com/v1.0/myorg/groups/<workspaceId>/reports/<reportId>' \

--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \

--header 'Authorization: Bearer <bearer_token>' \

--data '{

  "description": "Update Description"

}'

4. If the REST API is not working, try using the Power BI Management Module for PowerShell or the Power BI .NET SDK to update the description programmatically. For example, using PowerShell:
   $workspaceId = "<workspaceId>"

$reportId = "<paginatedReportId>"

$description = "Update Description"
Update-PowerBIReport -WorkspaceId $workspaceId -Id $reportId -Description $description

5. Review the latest Fabric REST API documentation to ensure there are no additional requirements or changes.
6. Double-check that the service principal has the correct permissions and workspace admin role.
7. If the issue persists, raise a support ticket with Microsoft to report the bug or limitation in the Fabric REST API. Provide the exact API call you’re making, the error message (400 Bad Request with UnknownError), and confirmation that the service principal has the correct permissions and workspace admin role.

If this helps, please consider marking it 'Accept as Solution' so others with similar queries may find it more easily. If not, please share the details.
Thank you.