Publishing a data model or a template file without data in an app

[gmrealeddiesson]

How do you share a .pbit file or the model itself without data with others via the online service? Or how do you publish a template via an app, without the data? Say you might want to publish a Power BI data model to the AppSource marketplace, but the model cannot have data at all (the model uses REST APIs and works in Import mode), and is parameterized for each individual user. Unfortunately, it seems you can't publish a .pbit file at all currently.

[gmrealeddiesson]

In the meantime, one potential option could be to use the new project format option (in Preview) and edit the text definitions to get rid of any cached parameters and the cache.abf file that contains the actual cached data. Sounds weird, but works semmingly.

[lbendlin]

Consider using parameters to act as query filters. That way you can drain the data from your published dataset in the service.

[Anonymous]

Hi @gmrealeddiesson ,

Please try to use the ways.

• You can create a report template from your Power BI Desktop file and export it as a .pbit file. This file will contain the report layout, data model, and queries, but not the data itself.
• You can publish your Power BI Desktop file to the Power BI service, which is an online platform where you can create and share dashboards, reports, and datasets.
• You can share a Power BI data model to the AppSource marketplace without data by creating a template app.

 Create and use report templates in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

 Share Power BI reports and dashboards with coworkers and others - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

What are Power BI template apps? - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

If I have misunderstood your meaning, please provide more details.

Best Regards
Community Support Team _ Rongtie

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[gmrealeddiesson]

Hi @Anonymous , Thanks for your reply! I think you misunderstood the question. You cannot publish a .pbit to the service, can you? That's the main premise of my question.