Cannot delete dataset

[Anonymous]

Hi, i have an unused dataset, and when i try to delete i get the message

This dataset can not be deleted because it is included in the published app. Try after unpublishing the app or update the app after removing all related content.

When checkin lineage, there are no reports that the dataset is connected to. The same when i check Impact analysis, there are 0 Workspaces,  0 Reports,  0 Dashboards, 0 Views impacted.

I dont want to unpublish the app as it is widely used and users will have a lot of personal bookmarks.

Any suggestions?

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

 Well, for some reason i was able to delete the dataset today. Whatever 'ghost link' was in the background of the system must have disappeared!

[v-cazheng-msft]

Hi, @Anonymous 

You can refer cannot delete dataset, this may help you solve your problem.

Best Regards,

Caiyun Zheng

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[collinq]

Hi @Anonymous ,

That is interesting since the lineage shows no connection.  Perhaps use the API to determine if the app thinks that the dataset is still part of it.  Apps (Power BI Power BI REST APIs) | Microsoft Docs  You might have to investigate backwards - to see if there is a dashboard in the App that is using a report that is using the dataset.  

Another method might be to make sure that there is no other dataset named the same as the one you are trying to remove.

Another option might be to duplicate your app as best as you can and thereby make a "backup" of sorts for yourself and then delete the dataset and see if it breaks the original one or not.  My thinking there is that it might be a "ghost" where it was once in the App and the App still has a connection to it even if it is not being used.

OR, the safest but annoying method would be to rename the Dataset as something like "DONOTUSEexistingname" and leave it be.  That would not delete it but at least it would not be used.

Let us know what happens!