Excel Connection to Dataset can only be updated by Contributor on Workspace or above

[marcritchie]

Hi there,

I'm having real problems with a use case I have. I have an excel workbook with multiple pivot tables using a connection to a Power BI dataset. I don't want the users of this workbook to have access to the workspace so give them direct access using Manage Permissions on the dataset and giving them build access there.

However the only way I can find that lets them refresh the Excel workbook is having them as a Contributor role on the workspace as a minimum. Without that they can't refresh and also RLS doesn't apply. This opens up the possibility that they can make changes in the workspace when all I need them to be able to do is refresh the Excel workbook that is already set up for them in the format required.

Am I missing something or is this expected - if it is expected then a Power BI dataset is almost useless when used with Excel if you want to have any kind of security over the solution.

Thanks,

Marc