Refresh is dataset-centric, not report-centric. Pausing a dataset stops its scheduled refresh (and any refresh triggers tied to that dataset). If multiple reports use different datasets, you’ll need to pause each of those datasets.

You can create a one-click solution by building a small automation (Power Automate flow, an Azure Function, or a simple script) that pauses all datasets in the target workspaces.

Recommended approaches:

A) Quick, scalable method: Power BI REST API

What it does: Pauses the refresh for each dataset in a workspace. Scope: Target a single workspace or multiple workspaces. How to do it: Write a small script that:

• Lists datasets in the workspace(s).
• Patches each dataset to set isRefreshPaused = true.

Optionally logs results for verification.

B) PowerShell option (uses REST under the hood)

What it does: Uses Power BI PowerShell cmdlets (or raw REST calls) to pause datasets. Pros: Familiar for many admins; easy to run from a local machine or admin server. Cons: Requires setting up the Power BI PowerShell module and token handling.

C) One-click automation (recommended for frequent needs)

Build a Power Automate flow or a small app that, when you click a button, calls the REST API to pause all datasets in selected workspaces. Pros: Truly one-click; auditable; easy to re-run or resume with another button.

Step-by-step guide (REST API approach)

Prerequisites

• Admin or dataset access that can pause refresh in the target workspaces.
• An Azure AD app registration with at least Dataset.ReadWrite.All permission (admin consent required) or use a user account with Power BI permissions.
• A way to obtain an OAuth 2.0 access token for the Power BI API.

  Steps

  1. Get the list of datasets in a workspace
     • GET https://api.powerbi.com/v1.0/myorg/groups/{groupId}/datasets
  2. Pause a dataset’s refresh
     • PATCH https://api.powerbi.com/v1.0/myorg/groups/{groupId}/datasets/{datasetId}
     • Body: { "isRefreshPaused": true }
  3. Optional: Verify
     • GET https://api.powerbi.com/v1.0/myorg/groups/{groupId}/datasets/{datasetId}
     • Check the isRefreshPaused field.
  4. Optional: Repeat for all datasets in the workspace(s)

Iterate the patch call for every dataset in the list.

Sample Python script (ready-to-adapt)

This uses REST calls and requires you to supply an access token. It demonstrates listing datasets and pausing them in a single workspace. You can extend it to multiple workspaces as needed.

import requests, json

def get_access_token(tenant_id, client_id, client_secret): token_url = f"https://login.microsoftonline.com/{tenant_id}/oauth2/v2.0/token" data = { "grant_type": "client_credentials", "client_id": client_id, "client_secret": client_secret, "scope": "https://analysis.windows.net/powerbi/api/.default" } resp = requests.post(token_url, data=data) resp.raise_for_status() return resp.json().get("access_token")_

def pause_datasets_in_workspace(access_token, group_id): datasets_url = f"https://api.powerbi.com/v1.0/myorg/groups/{group_id}/datasets" headers = { "Authorization": f"Bearer {access_token}", "Content-Type": "application/json" }

List datasets

resp = requests.get(datasets_url, headers=headers)
resp.raise_for_status()
datasets = resp.json().get("value", [])

# Pause each dataset
for ds in datasets:
    ds_id = ds.get("id")
    patch_url = f"https://api.powerbi.com/v1.0/myorg/groups/{group_id}/datasets/{ds_id}"
    body = {"isRefreshPaused": True}
    r = requests.patch(patch_url, headers=headers, data=json.dumps(body))
    print(f"Paused dataset {ds_id}: {r.status_code} {r.text}")