Connecting and refreshing excel spreadsheet to powerbi pro service

[ajacks64]

I'm trying to connect an excel spreadsheet to powerbi pro service so I can create some reports and dashboards.  I also would like to add more rows to the spreadsheet data periodically and refresh to the updates to the dashboard.  I'm sure it's simple but I'm stuck, any help really appreciated. 

[otravers · Accepted solution]

I usually store Excel data sources in SharePoint. You can set up scheduled dataset refreshes in the Power BI service.

[v-jialluo-msft]

Hi  @ajacks64 ,

For uploading and refreshing Excel files, it depends on the location of the Excel file.

You can refer to the following links:

Import Excel workbooks into Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

Get data from Excel workbook files - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

Refresh a dataset created from an Excel workbook - cloud - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

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

[ajacks64]

Thank you for your guidance.  From the documentation, it looks as though sharepoint or one drive need to be used to connect directly with the PowerBI service.  I was thinking that I might be able to connect an excel file on my PC drive to the PowerBI service, but perhaps this is not an options, would that be correct?

I have successfully linked an excel file on my laptop to my PowerBI desktop app and then to PowerBI services, was hoping to omit the need for PowerBI desktop app.

Many thanks for your help.

Andy 

[otravers · Accepted solution]

You can use a local file as a source but if you want to refresh from the Power BI service, you'll have to install a data gateway on your PC (which is not needed if the file is in OneDrive/SharePoint).

You do need Power BI Desktop to create your dataset.

[otravers · Accepted solution]

I usually store Excel data sources in SharePoint. You can set up scheduled dataset refreshes in the Power BI service.