Power BI Service: How to Automate the Semantic Model Refresh of Your Published Power BI Dashboard

Modified on Thu, 6 Aug at 10:46 AM

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COMMENT: Before publishing: (1) insert annotated screenshots at the [SCREENSHOT] markers (Steps 1, 2, 3); (2) wire the red placeholder next-step link (Share the dashboard); (3) after this article is live, wire the "Automate/Share" next-step links in 8000130463 and 8000130464 to this article.

 

Before you start

 

Why this matters — Two things must refresh for your data to stay current: the Dataflow (which loads the data) and the semantic model (which your report reads). Schedule the semantic model to refresh after the Dataflow finishes.

 

Part A — Set the semantic model's data source credentials

Step 1 — Open the semantic model settings

In your workspace, find the semantic model (dataset) for your report. Click the ⋯ (three dots) next to it and select Settings.

COMMENT: [SCREENSHOT 1: Workspace list showing the semantic model row, its three-dots menu, and the Settings option]

 

Step 2 — Set the data source credentials

Expand Data source credentials. For each listed source, click Edit credentials, choose the authentication method, sign in, and save. If a source needs an on-premises data gateway, select the gateway here.

COMMENT: [SCREENSHOT 2: Semantic model Settings with the Data source credentials section expanded and Edit credentials]

 

Note — If your report uses other data sources besides the BI Connector dataflow, add connections for each of them here and map them to the semantic model, so they refresh too.

 

Part B — Schedule the automated refresh

Step 3 — Turn on scheduled refresh

On the same Settings page, expand Refresh. Turn on Configure a refresh schedule (or Scheduled refresh). Choose the refresh frequency, your time zone, and the time(s) of day to refresh.

COMMENT: [SCREENSHOT 3: Refresh section with scheduled refresh turned on, frequency, time zone, and refresh times]

 

Step 4 — Time it after the Dataflow refresh

Set the refresh time(s) to run after the Dataflow's scheduled refresh has finished, so the semantic model picks up the latest data.

 

Tip — Turn on refresh failure notifications so you are emailed if a scheduled refresh fails.

 

Step 5 — Apply and run a test refresh

Click Apply. Then, next to the semantic model, click Refresh now to run a test refresh and confirm it completes successfully.

 

Done! Your dashboard now refreshes automatically. Each scheduled run pulls the latest data into your report.