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gb_asc's avatar
gb_asc
Frequent Visitor
10 months ago
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RDL file size limit when publishing to Power BI Service

Here is a polished version: Hi all,   I am trying to publish a paginated report to the Power BI Service, but the file size is over 20 MB and I am receiving an error stating that the file cannot ...
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  • DataVitalizer's avatar
    DataVitalizer
    10 months ago

    Hi gb_asc 

    Yes, there is a 20 MB upload limit for paginated report files (.rdl) in the Power BI Service, this is a known restriction.

     

    In order to solve the issue you’ll need to reduce the file size (by trimming embedded images, simplifying queries, or removing unused datasets) or publish the report through a workspace connected to a Premium capacity, where larger reports can be supported.

     

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DataVitalizer's avatar
DataVitalizer
Icon for Super User rankSuper User
10 months ago

Hi gb_asc 

Yes, there is a 20 MB upload limit for paginated report files (.rdl) in the Power BI Service, this is a known restriction.

 

In order to solve the issue you’ll need to reduce the file size (by trimming embedded images, simplifying queries, or removing unused datasets) or publish the report through a workspace connected to a Premium capacity, where larger reports can be supported.

 

Did it work? 👍 A kudos would be appreciated
🟨 Mark it as a solution to help spread knowledge 💡

🟩 Follow me on LinkedIn

  • Nabha-Ahmed's avatar
    Nabha-Ahmed
    Icon for Super User rankSuper User
    10 months ago

    Hi 

     

    Yes — this is a known limitation. Power BI Service only supports publishing paginated reports (.rdl files) up to 20 MB. This limit applies when uploading directly to the Power BI workspace.

    Workarounds:

    1. Upload via Power BI Report Builder:

      • Open the report in Report Builder → File > Save As > Power BI Service → choose your workspace.

      • Sometimes this method handles slightly larger files more reliably than direct upload.

    2. Reduce file size:

      • Optimize your dataset: limit rows, remove unused fields, or filter data at the source.

      • Avoid embedding large images or resources in the report.

    3. Host the report on a Report Server (Power BI Report Server or SSRS):

      • If file size cannot be reduced, publish it to a Power BI Report Server instead — it doesn’t have the 20 MB restriction.

    Unfortunately, as of now, Microsoft hasn’t officially provided a way to increase this size limit in the Power BI Service. You can upvote this feature request here:
      https://ideas.fabric.microsoft.com/

    Hope this helps!