Can't refresh a Data Set from Excel file

[Gnoom]

Hello,

I have uploaded an .xls file (with Power Pivot data models and Power Query connections to csv and xls files) to OneDrive and from there to Power BI, but I am not able to refresh the data set. When I click on "schedule refresh" I get the error message below - could you please explain what I am doing wrong?

You cannot schedule refresh for this dataset because it does not contain data model connections. You cannot schedule refresh on worksheet connections or linked tables. To schedule refresh the data must be loaded into the data model.

[BraneyBI · Accepted solution]

In your Excel file, are the Power Queries writing to the data model, just back to an Excel table or both?

From your error message, It looks like you are using PQ to only write back to Excel.  If you click on the "Load To" option on your Power Query, can you also "Add it to Data Model"? 

Then re-save the file, and see if you can refresh it from PowerBI.com

[VidasM]

You do not need to install Personal Gateway if your Excel workbook is on OneDrive. I just tested that - it works. You cannot schedule to refresh data - data will be refreshed for you once per hour. More info here: https://support.powerbi.com/knowledgebase/articles/471009-refresh-excel-csv-and-power-bi-desktop-fil...

[dpou]

I have an Excel file in Onedrive and connect the dataset to that file.

But when I overwrite the file; PowerBI sends the error that the file doesn't exist anymore when I refresh manually the dataset.

[Gnoom]

And one more question: is it possible to login through the same account on different devices at the same time? That way (by using a shared account) multiple non-pro users could see the refreshed reports, right?

[andre]

I have been able to login with the same account on multiple browsers and computers at the same time, however, I don't know if there is a limit when Microsoft will consider this a terms of service violation

[roumen92]

Did you have tried with Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 installed?

[Gnoom]

Yes, I do - doesn't help. 😞 I am using a free Power BI account, by the way.

[Greg_Deckler]

Bad, can't update local files with free account.

[Gnoom]

I've just signed up for a Pro account (60 days free trial) - didn't help either.

[BraneyBI · Accepted solution]

In your Excel file, are the Power Queries writing to the data model, just back to an Excel table or both?

From your error message, It looks like you are using PQ to only write back to Excel.  If you click on the "Load To" option on your Power Query, can you also "Add it to Data Model"? 

Then re-save the file, and see if you can refresh it from PowerBI.com

[juliesam]

Hi,

I'm also facing the same error. But i'm not familiar with power query. I have a set of data in excel 2013 file and kept it as a table. Then I have added to data model. So, power pivot has been created there. Then I have copied the file to ondrive-personal folder. I have connected to this file from powerbi.com. But when I tried to set refresh it shows the same error. How to resolve this issue?

[Gnoom]

Braney,

Thank you, you were right! It works now.

One more thing to confirm: do I have to be a Power BI Pro user to use this auto-update feature through Gateway? 

[Seth_C_Bauer]

Gnoom,

As a free user you can set a scheduled update 1x per day

If you want to refresh more than that, you need to be a Pro User.

Here is a list of capabilities for each based on free/Paid

[Danilo_Chavez]

Even the manual refresh is limited to one per day??? What is the difference between refresh and refresh preview??

[Gnoom]

I checked the features list, but still don't understand one thing: will I be able to refresh the data (daily) from an excel workbook located on my local PC through the Power BI Personal Gateway without a Pro account?

[andre]

you will be able to refresh but those who you share your content with will have to have a Pro account to see it

[Gnoom]

I see, so there is no way to refresh a shared report so that others will see the updated version without a Pro account, right?

[andre · Accepted solution]

You will be able to refresh it but those who don't have Pro account will lose ability to see it the minute you set up scheduled refresh

[Gnoom]

One more question: what if I refresh from OneDrive? (never tried that) Does that work on non-pro accounts?

[Gnoom]

I see, thank you!

[Greg_Deckler]

Do you have a Power BI Personal Gateway installed? I have loaded up Excel files and refreshed from data pulled in from Power Query from CSV files and Excel file data sources.