Pre-Requisites:
Before getting started, ensure you have the following:
- Valid Power BI License (Trial or Paid)
- Valid Power Automate License
- Workspace should be assigned to Premium or fabric Capacity
Scenario Overview
In this example, I have a workspace named Hutch-Telecom-WS-[PD], which contains the following assets:
-Power BI Report
-Semantic Model (Dataset)
-Dashboard
The requirement is to refresh the semantic model on the 7th of every month at 05:00 PM (IST).
Step 1: Verify Refresh Options in Power BI Service
Click on ellipsis (⋯) of semantic model and click on Settings
You will notice that Power BI only supports Daily and Weekly refresh frequencies. Since Monthly refresh is not available, we need to use Power Automate to achieve this. Now my requirement is to schedule Monthly refresh for example 7th of every month 05:00PM IST. How I can do this? Let’s look on next step
Step 2: Create a Scheduled Flow in Power Automate
Now let’s go to Power Automate Portal (https://make.powerautomate.com/) login with the same credentials used for Power BI workspace here. Now Click on Create
Click on Scheduled Cloud flow
Step 3: Configure the Recurrence Trigger
Provide a meaningful Flow Name (e.g., Power BI Monthly Dataset Refresh). Set the Start Date and Time (e.g., 7th of the month at 05:00 PM IST). Configure the Recurrence for Repeat every 1 Month and click on create. This sets up the monthly schedule for the flow.
Step 4: Add the Refresh a Dataset Action
Now you will be able to see this UI and click on + under Recurrence, then you can see a window on right side
Now, search for Refresh and select ‘Refresh a dataset’
Now you will be able to see adding an activity to flow and click on sign in
Click Sign in when prompted. Authenticate using the same Power BI account.
Step 5: Select Workspace and Dataset
Now select respective workspace and dataset from the right-side window dropdown options.
Now click on Save. Your flow is now configured and ready.
Step 6: Test the Flow Manually
Click Test in the top-right corner.
Now select Manually and click on Test
Now click on Run flow
Now click on Done
If configured correctly, the flow will run successfully.
Test Run succeeded in Power Automate
Step 7: Verify Refresh in Power BI Service
Go back to PBI Services and in the respective workspace click on ellipsis of Semantic model and select refresh history.
You will see the refresh triggered via Power BI API, confirming that the dataset was refreshed through Power Automate
Scheduled Execution Confirmation
On the scheduled date and time (e.g., 7th January 2026 at 05:00 PM IST):
The Power Automate flow runs successfully.
The Power BI semantic model refreshes as expected.
This confirms that the monthly refresh automation is working perfectly
Conclusion
Although Power BI Service does not natively support monthly refresh scheduling, Power Automate provides a clean and effective workaround. By combining a Scheduled Cloud Flow with the Refresh a Dataset action, you can fully automate monthly dataset refreshes with precision and reliability.
This approach is especially useful for enterprise scenarios where data updates are required on specific monthly cycles.
__ Inturi Suparna Babu__
Super User
