Dataflow Access

[DataSundowner]

Hello everyone. Is there any way to restrict dataflow connection access for workspace viewers? I know views can't see dataflows in the workspace, but they can still connect to them through PBI desktop or excel. It gives me a feeling of what's the point of datasets Row Level Security if all viewers can see all data by connecting to dataflows. Thank you.

[edhans]

Don't give viewers access to the workspace at all. Only give them access to the Power BI App you build for each workspace. Then they cannot see anything, period, other than the reports you put in the App for them to see. Publish an app in Power BI - Power BI | Microsoft Learn will walk you through creating an app. It is about 10 mouse clicks unless you have a lot of reports, then it is more mouse clicks.

[littlemojopuppy]

Hi @edhans.  Similar question...we want to expose a bunch of dataflows so users can pull data out of our EDW without having to connect directly to the EDW.  Tried your suggestion of creating an app, but can only add reports and dashboards to an app.

Was hoping you could point me to some documentation/guidance on how to secure dataflows.  Thanks!

[edhans · Accepted solution]

Give them VIEW access to the workspace. They cannot see them in the workspace itself, but if they connect via Power Query, they will be able to read them.

[littlemojopuppy]

Thank you @edhans !