Live Connection Cloud Report converts to Import Mode when downloaded to Desktop

[Marco57]

Hello,

I created a report on the power bi service portal from an existing dataset. This report is supposed to be created using a live connection to the power bi dataset.

I then downloaded the report from the File - Download this file menu:

Issue I face is that once the .pbix is downloaded and opened in Power BI Desktop, I see the connection to the dataset is in Import Mode and not a live connection.

This is not the behaviour being stated here:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/desktop-report-lifecycle-datasets#establish-a...

"When you select Create, you establish a live connection to the selected dataset."

I basically would like to avoid that users creating their report from my dataset can access the full tables content instead of a live connection.

Thanks in advance for any support.

Regards,

Marc.

[GilbertQ]

Hi @Marco57 

What I would suggest doing is using Power BI desktop and let them create the connect in that way to the dataset. This will ensure that it only ever uses it as a LiveConnection.

[Marco57]

Unfortunately that would not always work as they can still have the possibility to create a report from the portal and download it.

Unless there is a mean to only allow live connections to a given dataset?

[GilbertQ]

Hi @Marco57 

Yeah for sure, I would suggest asking the users to create it from PBI Desktop. This ensures that you always have got a copy of the report. It is a good thing to have in place.