PowerBI Report and Dashboard not Updating when Database Updated - HELP!

[JamesJenkins]

Hello,

I hope someone is able to help me with this as the topic has become a headache over the last couple of days.

I am trying to embed a PowerBI Tile into my Power App for visualisations on my data. For some context (in case there is a better method of showing the data), I am developing a canvas appliaction to allow users to input additional revenues that they have sold into the system. In the app, I want users to be able to track their progress towards targets - hence why I am using a PowerBI Tile to visualise the data easily. 

Everything has worked so far, and I have got my embedded tile showing my data and I am happy with the way it looks, the issue is is that whenever data is added to my database (Dataverse table), the tile does not automatically update. I would like the update to be real time so that the staff can see their addition towards the target.

I have set up a Direct Query in PowerBI Desktop, connected all my data - I have also added relevant connections and credentials in PowerBI Service. But whenever I add data, it still isn't updating (even after I interact with the visualisations and refresh the page).

If someone could assist that would be great.

James

[rajendraongole1 · Accepted solution]

Hi @JamesJenkins  - This issue often arises because Power BI tiles embedded in Power Apps do not automatically update in real-time, even when using Direct Query. The key here is that Direct Query ensures that Power BI visuals query the database when refreshed, but embedded tiles in Power Apps require additional setup to refresh dynamically.

1. Enable Real-Time Updates
Power BI does not inherently refresh embedded tiles in real-time. To achieve real-time updates, use Power Automate to trigger a dataset refresh when new data is added.

Steps:
Create a Power Automate Flow:

Open Power Automate.
Create a new flow triggered by the Dataverse table update (e.g., when a row is added).
Add a Power BI action to refresh the dataset associated with your Power BI report.
Action: "Refresh a dataset".
Select the workspace and dataset.
Test the Flow:

Add data to the Dataverse table and verify that the dataset refreshes in Power BI Service.
Embed the Tile in Power Apps:

Use the Power BI Tile control in Power Apps to embed the updated tile.
The tile will update when the dataset refreshes.
2. Adjust Dataset Refresh Frequency
If you cannot use Power Automate or prefer a simpler approach:

In Power BI Service, adjust the Direct Query refresh frequency:
Go to the workspace containing your Power BI report.
Open the dataset settings.
Increase the Direct Query cache refresh frequency to the shortest interval allowed (usually 1 minute).
Note: Frequent refreshes can impact performance, so use this cautiously.

3. Use Power BI Push Datasets (Optional)
For true real-time updates, consider switching to a Push Dataset:

A Push Dataset allows you to stream data directly into Power BI, bypassing the need for scheduled refreshes.
Set up a Power Automate flow to push new data from Dataverse into the Push Dataset.
This approach is more complex but provides instantaneous updates.
4. Test Refresh Behavior in Power Apps
Sometimes the Power BI Tile in Power Apps might not reflect changes due to caching or embedding issues.

Steps:
Add a manual refresh button in Power Apps to reload the tile:

Use the Refresh function for the Power BI Tile control.
Example: Refresh(PowerBIIntegration)
Test the behavior by:

Adding data to Dataverse.
Triggering the manual refresh in Power Apps.
5. Use Power BI REST API (Advanced)
For more advanced use cases, you can use the Power BI REST API to programmatically refresh the dataset when new data is added. This requires:

Registering an app in Azure AD.
Using the Refresh Dataset API to trigger a dataset refresh.

[kennyCarrillo]

Hello team,

I'm having issues updating reports in the Power BI web service. The odd thing is that when updating, no error message is displayed; the datasets simply fail to update. Any errors have been ruled out, but none exist. It's worth noting that the reports were updating correctly until 10 p.m. on April 27, 2025, and the data flows are updating normally. What could be a possible solution?

[JamesJenkins]

Update: I have decided to add a specific refresh button to users to refresh when they need. Has worked out great, I have set the OnSelect properties of the button to set the 'TileURl' variable to " ", and then set to the actual URL. I set the PowerBI Tile 'TileURL' field to the variable, so whenever the refresh button is pressed, the refresh is pushed through and works great.

[JamesJenkins]

Hello,

Thank you for your help with this, it is really appreciated.

What I have done, is add in a Timer control and set the on finish to set the URL variable to " ", then the actual.

I put the OnSelect property of the button that submits the data in the first instant to start the timer. The time for my PowerAutomate flow to update my dataset can reach up to 2 seconds in some cases. I set the timer to 3 seconds, and then made the timer reset after it has finished.

This is working and it is refreshing the tile, but the data that comes up is still a little bit older than what I had just inputted. For example, I just deleted some data and tried refreshing but nothing happened, I then added some and refreshed a couple minutes later using the timer, and it only reflected the changes to the data when I deleted the records.

Any tips to make this real time?

Thanks

[Poojara_D12]

Hi @JamesJenkins 

To ensure your embedded Power BI tile in Power Apps updates in real time:

1. Verify DirectQuery: Ensure your dataset in Power BI is using DirectQuery, not Import mode, and credentials are correctly set in Power BI Service.

2. Force Refresh in Power Apps: Use PowerBIIntegration.Refresh() in Power Apps to refresh the tile after users add data.

3. Consider Real-Time Datasets: Use a real-time streaming dataset in Power BI and push updates via Power Automate for true real-time visuals.

4. Test Manual Refresh: Confirm that the report updates in Power BI Service when new data is added. If it works there but not in Power Apps, it's a Power Apps issue.

5. Switch to Custom Visuals: If the tile doesn’t meet your needs, embed the full Power BI report for more control.

Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution, this will help others!
If my response(s) assisted you in any way, don't forget to drop me a "Kudos" 🙂

Kind Regards,
Poojara
Data Analyst | MSBI Developer | Power BI Consultant
Consider Subscribing my YouTube for Beginners/Advance Concepts: https://youtube.com/@biconcepts?si=04iw9SYI2HN80HKS 

[v-karpurapud · Accepted solution]

Hi @JamesJenkins 
Hope you are doing well!

Thanks for reaching out to the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum

Since already configured a Power Automate flow that updates the dataset in Power BI Service upon the addition of a new row to  Dataverse table, this setup is correctly implemented.

To refresh the Power BI tile without refreshing the entire page, Here are the below methods that will be useful as per requirements:

1.Add a Button for Manual Refresh

Navigate to insert a button in  Power App and set the OnSelect property of the button to Refresh(PowerBI Tile Control Name) replacing PowerBI Tile Control Name  with the actual name of  Power BI tile control. This will manually refresh the Power BI tile when the button is clicked.

2.Automatic Refresh Using Timer Control
Insert a Timer control into  Power App and Set the Duration property to the desired refresh interval (e.g., 60000 for 1 minute).Then set the OnTimerEnd property to Refresh(PowerBI Tile Control Name) . Additionally, set the AutoStart property to true and Repeat property to true.

3. Modify the Tile URL
Create a variable to store the tile URL after that set the tile URL to blank and then back to the actual URL using the Set function.
 

Set Function

Set(TileURL, " ");
Set(TileURL, "ActualTileURL");
Use this logic in the OnSelect property of a button or in the OnTimerEnd property of a Timer control.

Here is the example code for Timer Control

// Insert a Timer control
Timer1.OnTimerEnd = Set(TileURL, ""); Set(TileURL, "ActualTileURL");
Timer1.Duration = 60000; // 1 minute
Timer1.AutoStart = true;
Timer1.Repeat = true;

4. Finally test the above one of the methods by adding data to Dataverse table. Verify that the dataset refreshes in Power BI Service.Check if the Power BI tile in  Power App updates automatically or when the refresh button is clicked.

By following these steps, should be able to achieve near real-time updates for your Power BI tile within  Power App.

If you have any further questions or need additional help with this, feel free to reach out  to us for further assistance!

If you find this post helpful, please mark it as an "Accept as Solution" and give a KUDOS.

[JamesJenkins]

Hi Rajendra,

Thank you for your response! Your instructions were clearly laid out and super useful.

I have gone with the first option, as I have some experience with Power Automate, and I can now confirm that the report and dashboard in PowerBI Service is refreshing each time a new row is added in my dataverse table.

In my Power App, when I refresh the page the tile is updating which is great and exactly what I need. But, is there a way to refresh the tile in the app without refreshing the whole page? Should I set the tile url to blank and then back to the actual url, would this trigger a refresh? 

My aim is to get the staff to be able to see their input into the app actively affect the stacked bar chart (PowerBI Tile) in real-time (or as close as!).

Your help is very much appreciated.

James

[rajendraongole1 · Accepted solution]

Hi @JamesJenkins  - This issue often arises because Power BI tiles embedded in Power Apps do not automatically update in real-time, even when using Direct Query. The key here is that Direct Query ensures that Power BI visuals query the database when refreshed, but embedded tiles in Power Apps require additional setup to refresh dynamically.

1. Enable Real-Time Updates
Power BI does not inherently refresh embedded tiles in real-time. To achieve real-time updates, use Power Automate to trigger a dataset refresh when new data is added.

Steps:
Create a Power Automate Flow:

Open Power Automate.
Create a new flow triggered by the Dataverse table update (e.g., when a row is added).
Add a Power BI action to refresh the dataset associated with your Power BI report.
Action: "Refresh a dataset".
Select the workspace and dataset.
Test the Flow:

Add data to the Dataverse table and verify that the dataset refreshes in Power BI Service.
Embed the Tile in Power Apps:

Use the Power BI Tile control in Power Apps to embed the updated tile.
The tile will update when the dataset refreshes.
2. Adjust Dataset Refresh Frequency
If you cannot use Power Automate or prefer a simpler approach:

In Power BI Service, adjust the Direct Query refresh frequency:
Go to the workspace containing your Power BI report.
Open the dataset settings.
Increase the Direct Query cache refresh frequency to the shortest interval allowed (usually 1 minute).
Note: Frequent refreshes can impact performance, so use this cautiously.

3. Use Power BI Push Datasets (Optional)
For true real-time updates, consider switching to a Push Dataset:

A Push Dataset allows you to stream data directly into Power BI, bypassing the need for scheduled refreshes.
Set up a Power Automate flow to push new data from Dataverse into the Push Dataset.
This approach is more complex but provides instantaneous updates.
4. Test Refresh Behavior in Power Apps
Sometimes the Power BI Tile in Power Apps might not reflect changes due to caching or embedding issues.

Steps:
Add a manual refresh button in Power Apps to reload the tile:

Use the Refresh function for the Power BI Tile control.
Example: Refresh(PowerBIIntegration)
Test the behavior by:

Adding data to Dataverse.
Triggering the manual refresh in Power Apps.
5. Use Power BI REST API (Advanced)
For more advanced use cases, you can use the Power BI REST API to programmatically refresh the dataset when new data is added. This requires:

Registering an app in Azure AD.
Using the Refresh Dataset API to trigger a dataset refresh.