is it possible to save pbib file as pbix and upload to PBIRS?

[100tsky71]

1. we can upload pbix file to PBIRS

2. save pbix file as pbib

3. do nothing, only save pbib as pbix file

4. we get an error when try to upload pbix file to PBIRS

is it by design?

[Poojara_D12 · Accepted solution]

Hi @100tsky71 

Yes, that behavior is by design. When you save a report as a .pbib (Power BI Project) file and later convert or save it back to a .pbix file, the resulting PBIX is no longer in the same internal format as a Power BI Report Server (PBIRS)–compatible PBIX. PBIRS requires reports to be created and saved using the Power BI Desktop for Report Server version, which has a different schema and version alignment than the standard Power BI Desktop (used for .pbib and cloud development).

When you save a PBIB as PBIX, Power BI uses the modern Power BI model format (optimized for Fabric and the Power BI Service), introducing metadata and structures that PBIRS cannot interpret. That’s why, even though the file extension is the same, PBIRS rejects it with an upload or compatibility error.

To upload successfully to PBIRS, you must always open and save the report using the PBIRS-specific Power BI Desktop version that matches your Report Server’s release. Any PBIX file saved in the newer (cloud) version or through PBIB workflows becomes incompatible by design.

[v-karpurapud]

Hi @100tsky71 

Thank you for contacting the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.

Yes, it is possible to upload PBIX files to Power BI Report Server (PBIRS), but only if the PBIX file was authored using the Power BI Desktop version optimized specifically for PBIRS. This version is distinct from the one used for Power BI Service or Microsoft Fabric. PBIRS does not support PBIB or PBIP formats, which are part of the new Power BI Project structure introduced for Fabric to support source control and collaborative development workflows.

If a PBIX file is converted to PBIB or reconverted back to PBIX, it may open in Power BI Desktop but cannot be uploaded to PBIRS unless it is re-saved using the PBIRS-compatible Power BI Desktop. Otherwise, users will encounter the error: “The report was created in a newer version of Power BI Desktop and cannot be uploaded to the report server.” This behavior is by design, as PBIRS follows its own update cadence and is not aligned with the newer Fabric file architecture.

To resolve the issue, download and install the Power BI Desktop optimized for Report Server from your PBIRS portal or the official Microsoft site, open the PBIX file using this version, save it again, and then upload the re-saved file to PBIRS.
 

I hope this information is helpful. . If you have any further questions, please let us know. we can assist you further.

Regards,

Microsoft Fabric Community Support Team.
 

[100tsky71]

good day and thank you!

1. create a new pbix file with PBI Desktop Version: 2.147.1085.0 64-bit (September 2025)

2. do nothing, just save file as pbib file

3. close PBI Desktop, open pbib file and save it as pbix file

4. open pbix file with PBI Desktop for RS (September 2025) Version: 2.147.1088.0 64-bit (September 2025)

5. save file

6. upload file to PBIRS Version1.24.9392.34333(September 2025)

7. get an error