To allow users to edit reports in Power BI without allowing them to save changes, you will need to navigate the permissions and sharing options carefully, as Power BI does not have a built-in feature specifically for this purpose. Here are some strategies you can consider:
1. Use Power BI Service and Workspaces
Workspace Permissions: Create a workspace in Power BI Service where you can share the report. Assign users to the workspace with "Member" or "Contributor" roles, which will allow them to edit the report but not save changes to the report itself.
- Members: Can edit reports and dashboards but cannot publish to the workspace or change workspace settings.
- Contributors: Can edit content and contribute new content but still have limited access compared to workspace admins.
However, note that users in these roles will be able to save changes to their own copies of the report but not to the original shared report.
2. Share with Edit Rights
Share Report with Edit Rights: Share the report directly with users via the "Share" feature in Power BI Service. When sharing a report, you can give users "Edit" permissions, allowing them to edit the report in their personal workspace.
- Users can save changes in their own personal workspace but not overwrite the original shared report.
3. Power BI Report Server
- Use Power BI Report Server: If using Power BI Report Server, you can manage permissions more granularly. You can set up specific permissions for report editing and publishing, allowing you to create a controlled environment.
4. Create Templates for Users
- Publish as a Template: If you want users to be able to create their own reports based on the template, you can publish the report as a template or a dataset. Users can then create their own reports from the dataset, where they have full control over the visuals and data but do not affect the original report.
5. Power BI Paginated Reports
- Paginated Reports: If the reports are more static and do not require frequent changes, consider using Power BI Paginated Reports. These are better suited for scenarios where users need to view detailed reports without making changes.
6. Custom Solutions
- Custom Applications: If you have specific requirements, consider building a custom application using Power BI Embedded or Power BI API. This can provide a more controlled editing environment and restrict saving options.
Summary
While Power BI does not have a direct feature to restrict saving while allowing editing in the original report, using workspaces, sharing options, or creating report templates are practical ways to manage user access and maintain control over the original reports. If you need a more tailored solution, exploring custom applications or using Power BI Report Server may be viable options.
