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This guide shows you what the Power BI automatic refresh is, why you should use it, and when to use the auto-refresh in the Power BI dashboard.
In the next section, you’ll discover what the Power BI automatic refresh is, and why you should use it.
First…
Power BI Automatic Refresh is a feature that allows the data in Power BI reports and dashboards to update automatically at specified intervals. This way, there will be no need for manual intervention, and the information displayed is current.
Here’s an overview of how it works:
Automatic refresh helps keep the dashboards and reports up-to-date with the latest data. This comes in handy during real-time monitoring and decision-making.
Auto-refresh in the Power BI dashboard helps users monitor live or frequently updated data. The feature is particularly important for stakeholders who want to gain real-time insights. These could be gaining insights from the financial markets, social media metrics, or tracking system performance.
Auto-refresh also plays a vital role in environments where data changes regularly. It reduces the manual effort needed to update dashboards and ensures consistency across reports.
To set up automatic data refresh in Power BI, you’ll have to:
Here are the steps to set an automatic refresh schedule in Power BI:
Power BI supports a range of third-party tools that improve the process of Power BI auto-refresh data. These integrating tools offer additional capabilities like conversion, downloading, and data extraction. This helps with advanced Power BI desktop scheduled refresh.
Popular tools are Microsoft Flow, Zapier, or custom-built solutions using API or Azure Logic Apps. The Power scripts can be used to configure refresh activities programmatically. However, if you’re looking to manage complex refresh schedules, you should opt for Azure functions.
The Microsoft cloud-based data management is an integral part of the platform, and it seamlessly integrates with the Power BI auto refresh. These solutions help you combine Power BI with multiple data sources and technologies. This will, in turn, increase flexibility and control over the data refresh process.
There are tools that do not support Power BI scheduled refresh features. In these cases, you’ll have to perform a manual refresh.
Stage 1: Logging in to Power BI
| Country | Revenue Stream | Revenue (in $) |
| USA | Digital Advertising Revenue | 39,620,000 |
| USA | Event Marketing Revenue | 10,670,000 |
| USA | Content Marketing Revenue | 5,580,000 |
| USA | Print & Outdoor Revenue | 455,270 |
| UK | Digital Advertising Revenue | 40,710,000 |
| UK | Event Marketing Revenue | 24,770,000 |
| UK | Content Marketing Revenue | 6,330,000 |
| UK | Print & Outdoor Revenue | 552,190 |
| DNK | Digital Advertising Revenue | 47,040,000 |
| DNK | Event Marketing Revenue | 29,070,000 |
| DNK | Content Marketing Revenue | 7,740,000 |
| DNK | Print & Outdoor Revenue | 600,690 |
| DNK | Media Relations Revenue | 106,430 |
| AUS | Digital Advertising Revenue | 53,790,000 |
| AUS | Event Marketing Revenue | 38,530,000 |
| AUS | Content Marketing Revenue | 6,590,000 |
| AUS | Print & Outdoor Revenue | 9,040,000 |
| AUS | Media Relations Revenue | 6,130,000 |
| FR | Digital Advertising Revenue | 57,860,000 |
| FR | Event Marketing Revenue | 50,450,000 |
| FR | Content Marketing Revenue | 3,560,000 |
| FR | Print & Outdoor Revenue | 18,790,000 |
| FR | Media Relations Revenue | 15,460,000 |
| IND | Digital Advertising Revenue | 60,470,000 |
| IND | Event Marketing Revenue | 63,200,000 |
| IND | Content Marketing Revenue | 2,080,000 |
| IND | Print & Outdoor Revenue | 29,500,000 |
| IND | Media Relations Revenue | 30,020,000 |
Power BI offers three types of refreshes: Manual Refresh, Scheduled Refresh, and Dataflow Refresh.
Yes, the Power BI dataset can be refreshed manually by selecting the dataset in the Power BI Service and clicking “Refresh now.”
If a scheduled refresh fails in Power BI, the dataset won’t update as planned. You will receive an email notification (if configured), and manually refresh the dataset. If that doesn’t work, address the issue directly.
Power BI Automatic Refresh updates data at set intervals. It’s efficient and can be used to gain real-time insights. It’s the best fit for live monitoring, time-sensitive decision-making, and frequent data updates.
To get the most from the Power BI automatic refresh, you have to use it when handling large datasets. The refresh history should be regularly controlled to ascertain that the dashboards and reports use current data.
You also need to work with cached results to quantify frequently used queries. This will help refine the refresh presentation, and save the time needed to recoup data from the source.
Now you know the benefits of the Power BI automatic refresh, what kind of data will you use the refresh feature to monitor?
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