How to retain last entered parameter values (typable slicers) in Power BI Report Builder

[prabavathym]

Hi community,

I’m using Power BI Report Builder (Paginated Reports) and have 3 parameters that are typable (not dropdowns, since the list of values is very large/dynamic).

Problem:

• I type in long values (e.g., Batch Numbers) and run the report.

• When I refresh or rerun the report, the parameter boxes clear out.

• I have to retype all 3 values again, which is very time-consuming.

Comparison with Tableau:
In Tableau, parameters are persistent — when you refresh the data, the typed parameter values remain in place. Only the data refreshes.
In Report Builder, refreshing resets the parameters unless defaults are defined.

What I’ve tried so far:

• Default Values → Works but only with fixed values (not dynamic).

• Dataset-driven defaults (e.g., helper table in DB to remember last used values) → Works but requires custom setup and extra datasets.

• Advanced parameter options (Always refresh / Never refresh) → These only control dataset refresh behavior, not whether parameters remember values.

• Linked Reports in Report Server → Possible, but not scalable when you have many different parameter combinations.

My questions:

• Is there any built-in way for Report Builder to remember the last typed parameter values across refreshes, similar to how Tableau does?

• Or is the helper-table + default-value workaround the only approach?

• Has anyone successfully handled this when working with multiple (3+) typable parameters?

Thanks a lot!

[v-priyankata · Accepted solution]

Hi @prabavathym 

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Fabric Forum Community.

You’ve already explored all the available options in Report Builder. Unfortunately, paginated reports don’t have a built-in feature to save your previous entries like Tableau. as of now we have this  helper-table + default-value workaround. Add, change, or delete default values for a paginated report parameter - Microsoft Report Builder & ....

If I misunderstand your needs or you still have problems on it, please feel free to let us know.  

Thanks.

[v-priyankata]

Hi @prabavathym 

I wanted to check if you had the opportunity to review the information provided. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.

[v-priyankata]

Hi @prabavathym 

I wanted to check if you had the opportunity to review the information provided. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.

[v-priyankata]

Hi @prabavathym 

Hope everything’s going smoothly on your end. I wanted to check if the issue got sorted. if you have any other issues please reach community.