Synchronize existing items with OneDrive items

[julsr]

Hello everyone,

I'll implement the deployment pipeline process for existing items and I'm using OneDrive for version control now. However, the current files were not synchronized with OneDrive so I don't know if it's possible to match current files with the ones in OneDrive or if I should upload them to OneDrive and then import each one to the workspace (which will generate a new link and that's something I don't want).

Thanks

[v-sdhruv]

Hi @julsr ,

Do not try to re-import from OneDrive.

Instead, use Power BI Desktop to open the original PBIX file, then save it to OneDrive.

Use Power BI Desktop’s “Publish” feature to update the existing report in the workspace.

Ensure you're publishing to the same workspace and overwriting the existing report.

This method maintains the original report ID and link, effectively updating the report without duplication.

Hope this helps!

[julsr · Accepted solution]

Hi @v-sdhruv .

Finally, I've solved it! I did what you mentioned; however, it didn't work for me if you already have the workspace assigned to a specific Deployment Stage. What you need to do is follow the steps you mentioned plus the ones below:

1. Unassign workspace from the Deployment Pipeline Stage
2. Refresh Deployment Pipeline interface
3. Assign the workspace again

Magically it pairs the items so we don't alter existing links and items!

Thanks

[v-sdhruv]

Hi @julsr ,

Just wanted to check if you had the opportunity to review the suggestion provided?
If any of the  response has addressed your query, please accept it as a solution  so other members can easily find it.
Thank you @rohit1991  and  @HarishKM  for your prompt response to the query.

[julsr]

Hi @v-sdhruv . Yes, unfortunately, both solutions are not working. I wrote an answer below but I'll write it here again:

Hi! Thanks for your reply @HarishKM @rohit1991 .

I followed this approach:

1. Download original file from the workspace
2. Save the file to the Shared Library in OneDrive
3. Import this file from OneDrive to the PowerBI workspace (I thought this could overwrite the original file)

However, with the last step what I get is 2 files exactly with the same name, same content, same size and I didn't overwrite the existing one to keep the same link. What did I do wrong?

[HarishKM]

@julsr Hey,
Step 1:
Compare timestamp and file size locally between your current files and those in OneDrive to ensure they're identical.
Step 2: You can use file comparison tools or scripts (like diff commands on Linux) to check for differences.
STep 3: Manually Upload: If the files are identical, manually upload changes to OneDrive (without deleting the existing ones) to avoid generating new links.
STeps 4: Use OneDrive Sync Client: Install the OneDrive sync client on your computer to automatically synchronize files between your local machine and OneDrive. Ensure the settings do not overwrite existing files if they are similar.
Steps 5: Once files are synchronized, consider implementing version control effectively using OneDrive's built-in versioning system to keep track of changes without altering links.
STeps 6: If importing to a workspace generates new links, see if the workspace allows linking directly to the OneDrive folder rather than importing. Some systems provide integration with cloud storage that uses existing files' links.

Thanks
Harish M

Kindly accept this as a solution if it resolves your problem, and please consider giving kudos to the post as well.

[rohit1991]

Hi @julsr ,

Currently, Power BI does not provide a way to automatically "link" or synchronize existing workspace items with files that already exist in OneDrive unless they were originally uploaded/imported from OneDrive. If you simply upload files to OneDrive now, Power BI will treat them as new items, and importing them again will create new reports/datasets with new links in the workspace.

Workarounds:

• Manual Overwrite: The only way to get the OneDrive sync working is to upload your PBIX files to OneDrive, then open each report in Power BI Desktop, save any recent changes into the OneDrive version, and re-publish from OneDrive. This will overwrite the existing report/dataset in the workspace if you publish with the same name and to the same workspace, but the link to OneDrive will only be active for new uploads via “Get data > OneDrive.”

• New Workspace Items: If you import the PBIX from OneDrive, it will create a new report/dataset in the workspace (with a new GUID/link).

There’s no way to “retro-link” already published reports/datasets to existing files in OneDrive. You’ll need to choose between overwriting or starting fresh with new links.

Reference: Power BI and OneDrive/SharePoint Integration FAQ (Microsoft Docs, Deployment pipelines and version control

[julsr]

Hi! Thanks for your reply @HarishKM @rohit1991 .

I followed this approach:

1. Download original file from the workspace
2. Save the file to the Shared Library in OneDrive
3. Import this file from OneDrive to the PowerBI workspace (I thought this could overwrite the original file)

However, with the last step what I get is 2 files exactly with the same name, same content, same size and I didn't overwrite the existing one to keep the same link. What did I do wrong?