How to Customize Exported File Name for All Power BI Visuals with Timestamp (workspace level)

[adithyapythibi]

Hi everyone,

We're trying to improve user experience with Excel exports from Power BI by customizing the exported file names. Currently, whenever we export data from a visual (via the 3-dot menu > Export data), the file is always named data.xlsx, which isn't very helpful for organization.

Our Requirement:

We want to automatically name exported Excel files using the following pattern:

CopyEditReportName_YYYY-MM-DD_HHMM.xlsx

Examples:

• ProductList_2025-05-30_0930.xlsx

• M3RI_2025-May-30_Export.xlsx

Constraints:

• Needs to work at the report level or workspace level — not just per visual.

• Manual renaming is not ideal — we want a systematic or automated approach.

• We explored Power Automate, but it seems to apply only to single visual exports.

Tried So Far:

1. Power Automate Flow using “Export to File for Power BI Reports” — works, but only for scheduled or single visual.

2. DAX measure/card visual to suggest a filename — doesn’t solve the actual export name issue.

3. Looked into REST API/Power BI Embedded — feels too heavy for this use case.

What I’m Looking For:

• Is there any way to set or influence the exported file name for all visuals in a report or across a workspace?

• Can Power Automate be configured to apply at the report level (not per visual)?

• Has anyone tackled this with a Power BI Embedded, REST API, or creative workaround?

Any help, advice, or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated!

[Akash_Varuna · Accepted solution]

Hi @adithyapythibi Power BI doesn’t natively allow customizing export file names. Use Power Automate with the REST API’s Export to File to automate exports and append timestamps dynamically (e.g., ReportName_YYYY-MM-DD_HHMM.xlsx). Apply this at the workspace level by looping through reports in the flow. You could also use Power BI Embedded for more control over export behavior.

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @adithyapythibi,
Thank you for reaching out! The Microsoft Fabric Community is here to help.

Thank you @BhavinVyas3003 and @Akash_Varuna You're absolutely right, Power BI currently lacks native support to rename exported files directly from visuals. As highlighted, Power Automate combined with the Export to File REST API is the most practical workaround for applying custom filenames, especially when triggered from buttons or embedded environments.

To enhance this further at a workspace level, you could implement a Power Automate flow that iterates over report IDs in a workspace using the REST API, dynamically exporting and naming each file. This does require some setup with service principals or Power BI Embedded, but offers the best control for systematic exports.

In short, while manual exports remain static (data.xlsx), automation and embedding provide a scalable and flexible naming solution.

I hope my suggestions provided valuable insights. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to ask in a follow-up message.
If this post helped, please mark it as "Accept as Solution" so others can benefit as well.

Best regards,
Sahasra

Community Support Team.

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @adithyapythibi

I wanted to follow up on our previous suggestions regarding the issue. We would love to hear back from you to ensure we can assist you further.

If our response has addressed your query, please accept it as a solution and give a ‘Kudos’ so other members can easily find it. Please let us know if there’s anything else we can do to help.

Thank you.

[v-sgandrathi]

HI @adithyapythibi,

I wanted to check in your situation regarding the issue. Have you resolved it? If you have, please consider marking the reply as Accepted solution and give Kudos that helped you. It would be greatly appreciated by others in the community who may have the same question.

Thank you.

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @adithyapythibi,

we haven't heard back from you regarding our last response and wanted to check if your issue has been resolved.

If our response addressed by the community member for  your query, please mark it as Accept Answer and give us Kudos. Should you have any further questions, feel free to reach out.

Thank you for being a part of the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum!

[BhavinVyas3003 · Accepted solution]

Hi @adithyapythibi ,

There is no built-in feature to auto-customize export file names from visuals (via UI) across reports or workspaces.

Best Possible Workaround:

• Use Power BI Embedded + Export to File REST API:
• You can control filename using API parameters.
• Requires embedding setup or service principal.
• Best suited for custom portals or apps.
• OR Create a custom Power Apps/Power Automate button inside the report:
• Triggers export via REST API.
• Can name the file dynamically (ReportName_YYYYMMDD_HHMM.xlsx).

[Akash_Varuna · Accepted solution]

Hi @adithyapythibi Power BI doesn’t natively allow customizing export file names. Use Power Automate with the REST API’s Export to File to automate exports and append timestamps dynamically (e.g., ReportName_YYYY-MM-DD_HHMM.xlsx). Apply this at the workspace level by looping through reports in the flow. You could also use Power BI Embedded for more control over export behavior.