BUG: report connected to deleted semantic model cannot be opened in PBI desktop

[JoshT]

If opening a pbix file that has previously been connected to a semantic model in the service that is now deleted, user receives the below error. Clicking on Edit results in Power BI desktop freezing. Clicking Retry obviously fails and clicking Cancel opens a blank file. The report cannot be opened again to connect to a different semantic model. This means that all work in the pbix file is effectively lost and cannot be recovered as it cannot be viewed anymore.

Repro steps:

1. Create new pbix with simple data import (e.g. using table editor)
2. Publish pbix to service
3. Create new pbix and connect to previously published semantic model
4. Save and close
5. Delete previously published semantic model from service
6. Attempt to reopen report pbix, and click Edit when prompted

Issue reproduced in PBI desktop Version: 2.147.1085.0 64-bit (September 2025)

[JoshT]

I've said before Microsoft need to make sure that pbix files can be opened regardless of errors that are hiding in files. There is a similar issue when opening .pbit files for semantic models that for whatever reason can't be refreshed on opening. If the refresh is cancelled, instead of just creating the new .pbix from template, a blank is created instead. This is poor design and needs rectifying