PowerBI Gateway and General Dataset Refreshing Issues

[rjsidek]

Hi everyone, 

I created a PowerBI report on PowerBI Desktop and uploaded it to PowerBI Service. The datasource for the pbi file is an excel that is located on Sharepoint. The excel gets automatically updated when someone fills in a Microsoft Form. Initially, I could not figure out a way to refresh the dataset of the report on PowerBI Service. Then I discovered that I had to use a gateway. I setup a gateway on my laptop, and the refresh seems to be working, but I ran into some issues when my laptop was not turned on. This would be a problem moving forward.

I was wondering, is there a way to get past this? Other than using a data gateway, is there any other way for me to refresh the dataset on PowerBI Service? If not, can someone explain to me best practices for using a gateway?

Appreciate any help or suggestions!

[Mariusz]

Hi @rjsidek 

If you are using SharePoint on-prem, then best practice would be instaling enterprise gateway on the server that is mapped with SharePoint (has access to this document library)

Best Regards,
Mariusz

If this post helps, then please consider Accepting it as the solution.

[rjsidek]

Hi @Mariusz ,

Thanks for the advice. What if I install an enterprise gateway on my laptop? Does that mean my laptop has to constantly be on and connected to the enterprise internet connection?

[Mariusz]

Hi @rjsidek 

Technically yes, that why the best practice is to install it on Servers and keep it running 24/7.

Your laptop and gateway need to be on at the moment of the schedule. 

Best Regards,
Mariusz

If this post helps, then please consider Accepting it as the solution.

[rjsidek]

@Mariusz I was looking at the dataset settings on PowerBI Service and noticed this:

Does this mean I don't need a gateway in order to refresh the dataset?

[Mariusz · Accepted solution]

Hi @rjsidek 

If you use SharePoint Online then no, all you need to do is add your Credentials

You only need Gateway if you connecting to data sources on-prem.

Best Regards,
Mariusz

If this post helps, then please consider Accepting it as the solution.

[rjsidek]

Ah i see! thanks for that. I found that the problem was my data source from powerbi desktop. It seems that it had 2 data sources, one from sharepoint and one from my laptop. That's why i needed a gateway. I did not realize that the data source from my laptop was till there when I uploaded it to powerbi service.