Dataflows report and data refresh issues

[DataVitalizer]

Hi Community,

I created a dataflow based on an Excel workbook store on Onedrvei for business, and after that I created a report from Power BI Desktop using that dataflow but couple questions started pooping into my mind for which I could not find an answer:

1. Is it possible to create a report in powerbi service using directly a dataflow table?
2. When creating the report in Power BI Desktop using the dataflow and publish it, I find myself with a dataset, means an extrat step in between, have can dat be refershed that way?
3. When I try to fix credentials of my dataflow, it fails even if my ewcel workbook is in the same onedrvie account as my powerbi, any solution?

If you read my post please suggestion an idea or mention who can so.

Thank you in advance.

[v-yueyunzh-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi, @DataVitalizer 

Here is my understand to your question.

(1)Is it possible to create a report in powerbi service using directly a dataflow table?

Dataflow is a data, while a dataset is a semantic model, we need to use Power BI Desktop to connect to dataflow and publish the generated dataset to create the report.

(2)When creating the report in Power BI Desktop using the dataflow and publish it, I find myself with a dataset, means an extrat step in between, have can dat be refershed that way?

Dataflow is a cloud-based Power Query Online that is mainly used to handle complex ETL operations, and we can refresh dataflow before refreshing our dataset, thereby reducing ETL operations in the dataset.

(3)When I try to fix credentials of my dataflow, it fails even if my ewcel workbook is in the same onedrvie account as my powerbi, any solution?

Your data source comes from OneDrive, you can update your credentials in "Data Source credentials" in the Setting in Dataflow, you can choose the "Oauth2" authentication method, and log in to the AAD account with permissions.

For more information, you can refer to :
Configure and consume a dataflow - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

Thank you for your time and sharing, and thank you for your support and understanding of PowerBI! 

Best Regards,

Aniya Zhang

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