Power BI Service with dataset from Excel

[kris10]

Hi,

In the past I have made several Power BI reports that are published on Power BI Service and shared with other users, but the datasources where always connected Microsoft Business Central or to a MS SQL database.

Now I need to a Power BI report that is based on multiple Excel-files as datasource.

How is the best way to setup? Where is the best place to set the Excel-files? Do I need a Gateaway to access the files?

From Power BI Desktop it's easy to connect to a local Excel file, or an Excelfle on a server.

But if I publish the PBI report on PBI Service and share this report, how is the connection to the Excel-files? What is the best place to put the Excel data files as data source and how to connect to them so the report can be shared online and access is possible for other users?

Kind regards,

Kristien

[ibarrau · Accepted solution]

Hi. It depends on permissions on the excel and availability of machines. If you just have your laptop and there are no servers to use as bridges between Power Bi Service and the files, then the best idea would be uploading the file to OneDrive (if you are the only one who owns the source) or Sharepoint (if it has multiple owners).

That way you can connect with Desktop and once it's published just configure credentials to schedule refresh. 
If your data is sensitive or you don't want to use cloud storage, you can keep them on local. However this option demands a Power Bi On Premise Data Gateway. It's a microsoft client that has to be installed on a machine with access to the data. That will let you add sources at Power Bi Service requiring the machine to be turned on each time a refresh is required.

I hope that helps,