Excel live connection doubt (summarized data export)

[sandraCortes]

Hello everyone,

I'm new in PowerBI and I have an issue that it seems I already discovered the cause, however I would like to confirm my theory, could you help me to verify if it is correct?

I appreciate it.

"For our reports we use Import method to bring data to the data model, and to keep it up to date we are executing a daily refresh . However the option with Live Connection to export data to an Excel file from PowerBI for a visual, allows to the users connect directly to the source and get data online to update the model and so create the file, to be able to see the file this must be uploaded to a share point site." 

Is this right? Issue that we have is that when the downloaded excel file with live connection is saved in the local PC it doesn't show anything (is empty) despite the size is greater than 0 KB.

Thank you all your comments.

[Saima14]

Hello there!

It seems like you've identified a potential issue with the Live Connection to export data to an Excel file from PowerBI, and I understand the frustration of encountering unexpected behavior. Your theory about the downloaded Excel file appearing empty when saved locally might be related to the data connection or file dependencies.

Here are a few things to consider or check:

1. Data Connection:

   • Confirm that the Excel file is maintaining a live connection to the Power BI model. If the data source is not accessible or the connection is broken, the file may appear empty.

2. File Dependencies:

   • Ensure that the file doesn't have external dependencies on other files or network locations that might not be available when saved locally.

3. SharePoint Connection:

   • Since you mentioned the need to upload the file to a SharePoint site to view it, check if there are any dependencies on the SharePoint connection for proper functionality.

4. Local Security Settings:

   • Verify the security settings on the local PC, especially if there are restrictions on external connections or data sources.

5. Power BI Gateway:

   • If you're using a Power BI Gateway for the Live Connection, ensure it is configured correctly and is accessible.

6. Excel Version Compatibility:

   • Check if there are compatibility issues between the version of Excel you are using locally and the version that was used to create the file.

If the issue persists, it might be beneficial to reach out to the Power BI community forums or support for more specific assistance. Users there may have encountered similar issues and could provide insights or solutions based on their experiences.

I hope this helps, and best of luck in resolving the issue! 🚀📊

[lbendlin]

However the option with Live Connection to export data to an Excel file from PowerBI for a visual, allows to the users connect directly to the source 

None of that is true.  The "Live"  connection is not live, it is a Direct Query connection.  Data is not exported to Excel, it is linked via a DAX query and cached in Excel. Excel is not connecting directly to the source, it is connecting to the Power BI dataset via the DAX query.