Changing data source of multiple files to only one

[arghyam6]

I have several reports which have separate dataset files on the workspace, but they essentially can work with any one of those datasets. Is there any way to have a single source of data for them, in order to save space on the server?

[Nolock · Accepted solution]

Hi @arghyam6,

you can create a shared dataset in your workspace which is connected to your data sources. This dataset is published to PBI service and is refreshed periodically (scheduled refresh).
Then you create another pbix file (just for visuals) which is connected to this shared dataset using a live connection. You can have as many pbix files with visuals as you want - let's say one pbix file for every report.

More info: Connect to datasets in the Power BI service from Power BI Desktop

[Stachu]

I'm not sure I get the question - do you want to merge the existing datasets? if so you can do that in the Query Editor by creating a new dataset that would have all the data required

if that's not what you intend to do, can you then elaborate on what you try to achieve?

[arghyam6]

Hi @Stachu 

Not through query editor. I have several reports, and datasets published on the same workspace. Some of them essentially use the same queries from the same databases while refreshing. Can it be "merged" in such a way that only one dataset refresh will update all the reports that er using the same queries?

[Stachu · Accepted solution]

for sure you can do it with the new reports, as described here:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/desktop-report-lifecycle-datasets

not sure about the merging, have a read here - it does describe how to edit existing datasets, but not sure about merging or changing

https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/connecting-to-datasets-in-the-power-bi-service-from-desktop...

[Nolock · Accepted solution]

Hi @arghyam6,

you can create a shared dataset in your workspace which is connected to your data sources. This dataset is published to PBI service and is refreshed periodically (scheduled refresh).
Then you create another pbix file (just for visuals) which is connected to this shared dataset using a live connection. You can have as many pbix files with visuals as you want - let's say one pbix file for every report.

More info: Connect to datasets in the Power BI service from Power BI Desktop

[arghyam6]

Thanks a lot.