Using created and formatted PowerBi visuals on completely separate but identically structured data

[Jai_BI]

I have created and formatted a selection of PowerBI visuals by connecting PowerBi to a dummy data set in SmartSheet. I would like to reuse these visuals with their formatting and point PowerBI to a different data set in SmartSheet which is identically formatted (i.e. same number of columns, column names, etc). The only thing different is the raw data in the data set. I don't want to add to the existing data- just substitute the whole data set. Upon importing data, I have to reconnect the new data to the appropriate headings.

I have tried selecting a new data source via Transform data>>Data Source Settings. But cannot find any other data sets even upon connecting a new data set via "Get Data". I only see the generic term SmartSheet with no further options. "Change Data" is greyed out. 

Is there any way to point the visualisations/formattting of PowerBi to another identicially structured data set so the visualisations reflect the new data without manually dragging each field into a new box. Where I have multiple charts, filter and slicers in a visual, I am currently having to go through each visual and filter one-by-one to update. There must be an easier way.

The aim is for my team to use their own data sets to create visuals bespoke to their data with the same formatting.

Any thoughts?

[Jai_BI]

I have indeed tried this. However the approach poses a challenge:

Whilst it is easy to identify an individiual SmartSheet ID, there is a need to identify the ID of the folder structure under which the SmartSheet sheet lies. One can find this by looking at the folder properties, but you can imagine if there are many folders and sub-structures, manually replacing this is not a quick or easy task- although not impossible. Also as a plug-n-play (or point and visualise) template for others, with little to no familiarity of PowerBi, the use of advanced editor, and finding of numerous folder IDs might be too honorous.

Do you think, or is it possible to "Get Data" a specific SmartSheet, so it is loaded into PowerBi and paste the formatting code to impose the template visualisation on top? I cannot see a code for the template in Advanced Editor. It may be in PowerBI somewhere. I will continue to explore. Any pointers would be most helpful.

Many thanks for your support with this.

[Jai_BI]

So...from my existing template, I "Get Data", to get a new data set imported. I then opened Advanced Editor to copy all the code/text. I went back to where the data currently used in the template is, and pasted the code/text. i got the new data with the themes of the template!!

Is there an easier way to do this than that approach - bearing in mind that whilst my PowerBi abilities are extremely short of basic, there are abilities even less than me?

[lbendlin]

Define "easier".  The correct way would be to construct this via CI/CD  and the appropriate API calls.  Not "easy" though.

[Jai_BI]

By "easier", I refer to my specific purpose to ues PowerBI. Whilst I recognise PowerBI can do live visuals, having used APIs in the past, I seek a tool that wil quickly generate a Gantt using defined formatting, to provide a visual to copy and paste as a static image into a PowerPoint slide deck.

Yes, this is excessively underutilising PowerBI's capabilities. Whilst there are software for creating Gantts, the outputs require fine-tuning/further manipulation once the data is imported. My aim is to remove that need. But also try and keep the process of creating a correctly formatted Gantt as simple as possible to avoid detracting from the core day-to-day job.

[lbendlin · Accepted solution]

Keep in mind that ETL and UX are separate process phases. 

If you want fully customized Gantt charts then use Deneb. It can do what you need, but I would not call it "easy" either.

[lbendlin]

Have you considered changing the source in the Power Query Advanced Editor?