Configuring semantic model scheduled refresh in Power BI is essential for ensuring your reports display current data from underlying sources. This feature allows you to automate data updates at specified intervals, eliminating the need for manual refresh operations.
To set up scheduled refresh, fi…Configuring semantic model scheduled refresh in Power BI is essential for ensuring your reports display current data from underlying sources. This feature allows you to automate data updates at specified intervals, eliminating the need for manual refresh operations.
To set up scheduled refresh, first publish your Power BI report to the Power BI service. Navigate to the workspace containing your dataset, click the three dots next to the dataset name, and select 'Settings.' Under the 'Refresh' section, you will find scheduling options.
Before configuring the schedule, you must establish data source credentials. Click 'Data source credentials' and enter the appropriate authentication details for each connection. For on-premises data sources, you need to install and configure a Power BI Gateway, which acts as a bridge between cloud services and local data.
Once credentials are configured, enable the scheduled refresh toggle. You can set refresh frequency to daily or weekly, depending on your Power BI license. Pro licenses allow up to 8 refreshes per day, while Premium capacities support up to 48 refreshes daily. Select specific times that align with business requirements and data availability windows.
Power BI also offers incremental refresh for large datasets, which updates only new or changed data rather than the entire dataset. This reduces refresh duration and resource consumption significantly.
You can configure failure notifications to alert dataset owners when refresh operations encounter errors. This proactive monitoring helps maintain data reliability and allows quick troubleshooting of connection issues or credential expirations.
Additional considerations include time zone settings, which ensure refreshes occur at intended local times, and refresh history logs that track success rates and duration metrics. These logs are valuable for identifying patterns and optimizing refresh schedules.
Proper scheduled refresh configuration ensures stakeholders always access up-to-date information, supporting timely decision-making across the organization while minimizing administrative overhead.
Configure Semantic Model Scheduled Refresh
Why is Scheduled Refresh Important?
Scheduled refresh is a critical feature in Power BI that ensures your reports and dashboards display the most current data. Without regular data updates, business decisions could be based on outdated information, leading to poor outcomes. Organizations rely on timely data to monitor KPIs, track sales, and make strategic decisions.
What is Semantic Model Scheduled Refresh?
Semantic model scheduled refresh is a Power BI Service feature that automatically updates your published datasets at specified intervals. When you publish a Power BI report to the service, the data becomes a snapshot in time. Scheduled refresh allows you to configure automatic data updates so stakeholders always see fresh information.
How Does It Work?
Key Components:
1. Data Gateway: For on-premises data sources, you must install and configure a data gateway. The gateway acts as a bridge between your local data and the Power BI Service.
2. Data Source Credentials: You must configure credentials for each data source in the dataset settings. These credentials allow Power BI to authenticate and retrieve data during refresh.
3. Refresh Schedule: You can configure refresh times in the dataset settings. Pro licenses allow up to 8 refreshes per day, while Premium capacity allows up to 48 refreshes per day.
4. Refresh Notifications: You can configure email notifications to alert dataset owners when refresh failures occur.
Configuration Steps:
- Navigate to the workspace containing your dataset - Select the dataset settings (gear icon or three dots menu) - Expand the Scheduled refresh section - Toggle Keep your data up to date to On - Set refresh frequency (Daily or Weekly) - Add specific time slots for refresh - Configure timezone settings - Save your changes
Prerequisites for Scheduled Refresh:
- Power BI Pro or Premium license - Gateway installed for on-premises sources - Valid credentials stored for all data sources - Dataset published to Power BI Service
Common Refresh Scenarios:
- Cloud data sources (Azure SQL, SharePoint Online): No gateway required - On-premises sources (SQL Server, files on local drives): Gateway required - Personal files (OneDrive, SharePoint): Can use automatic refresh capabilities
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Configure Semantic Model Scheduled Refresh
1. Know the refresh limits: Pro = 8 times daily, Premium = 48 times daily. This is frequently tested.
2. Understand gateway requirements: Questions often ask when a gateway is needed. Remember: on-premises data sources require a gateway, cloud sources do not.
3. Credential configuration: Be aware that credentials must be configured separately in the Power BI Service after publishing, even if they worked in Desktop.
4. Incremental refresh: Understand that incremental refresh can improve performance by only refreshing recent data partitions rather than the entire dataset.
5. Watch for scenario-based questions: The exam may present a business requirement and ask you to select the appropriate refresh configuration.
6. Time zone awareness: Scheduled refresh times are based on the configured timezone in settings, not UTC by default.
7. Failure notifications: Know that refresh failure notifications go to the dataset owner by default, but additional recipients can be added.
8. On-demand refresh: Remember that manual refresh can be triggered anytime and does not count against the scheduled refresh limit.
9. Dataset vs. Dataflow refresh: Understand the difference - dataflows refresh separately and must complete before dependent datasets can refresh successfully.