Is it possible to copy dataset/dataflow from one workspace to another for testing?

[Anonymous]

Hello Gurus,

I am new to Power BI and my organisation uses it for BI purposes. I wanted to know if it is possible to copy any dataflow/dataset/reports etc. to another (personal) workspace or download a copy locally for the desktop app and play around with the data and learn without affecting the original data? 

My guess is that the "Save a copy" option does what I need but I wanted to be sure that I am not going to damage any of my organisations data and reports. 

Thank you for your help.

[Burningsuit · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous 

Yes, the "save a copy" option on a report create a copy of the Report, linked back to the Dataset which you can save in any workspace you have access to. You can then edit this Report in the Service, change it, re-visualize the Data etc. without any changes being made to the original Report or the Dataset. When the associated Dataset is refreshed you copy will point to the refreshed Data. Note though that you can't download a PBIX copy of the copy of the Report you have made.

You may have the ability to download a PBIX of the original Report or the Dataset, on the Report use "File", "Download this file" on the Dataset use "Settings" "Download this file" this will download a PBIX of the Report with the Data in the Dataset. Note however that there are large number of limitations which may prevent you doing this. See: Download a report from the Power BI service to Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

If you can download the PBIX it is disassociated from the Original and you can edit it as much as you want.

You will only affect the Original if you publish your PBIX and overwrite the Original.

Hope this helps

Stuart

[Anonymous]

Hi @Burningsuit,

Thank you for your quick reply.

I am able to download datasets/reports as PBIX files to my desktop which is good news.

Just to make sure now, I can modify the data in any way on my local PBIX file in the desktop app and save my changes within the application and nothing will change on the Power BI Service, which the rest of the organisation can see, unless I publish that PBIX and replace the original version with it on the Service. Is that correct?

Also when I refresh the data within the application, does that pull all the changes from the Service to my desktop PBIX files?

[Burningsuit]

Hi @Anonymous 

Yes, you're right. The downloaded PBIX file is completely separate from the original Dataset and Report, it is a true copy of the original, you can edit/change/delete it and the original is untouched. But of course it IS a copy with no connection to the original, so if the original dataset or report is updated your downloaded copy will NOT show the changes, you will have to download from the original again to get the new data or updated Report.

Hope this helps

Stuart