How to overwrite dataflow with json file while keeping the same dataflow id?

[PowerWhy]

Hello,

To backup up a dataflow's logic I download the json file. If I need to restore a dataflow's logic I need to be able to overwrite an existing dataflow with the backup json file, but keep the dataflow id the same. Please can you tell me how to do this / if it's possible?

I'm trying to do this because in power bi query editor the dataflow is defined by dataflowid not dataflowname (I know the power bi query editor M code can be tweaked to query by dataflowname instead of dataflowid but this is somewhat manual and introduces some risk due to the code being complicated).

Thank you for any help,

CW

[dbeavon3]

@PowerWhy It is possible.  It is part of the "imports" REST api for dataflows.  It is an extremely unintuitive API and very buggy as well.  It is only supported if you use the REST API for the initial import and all subsequent ones after that. 

Even if you follow the rules, you will probably still encounter bugs (eg. importing with different credentials and what-not).

I would recommend you proceed with caution and open a support ticket with CSS as soon as you run into trouble.  They should be able to guide you thru the rest of the way.  I think they have staffed hundreds of CSS engineers, as a way to compensate for the buggy and confusing behavior of the software.