Create an External Report from Microsoft Power BI Report Server

This article details how to build an External Report in Metric Insights that is linked to a Report on your Microsoft Power BI server.

PREREQUISITE:

Established connectivity to Microsoft Power BI Report Server.

1. Access New > External Report > Microsoft Power BI Report Server

If necessary, you can create a new Report Type, Category, or Report Image Trigger on the go by clicking the [+] icon next to the corresponding field.

The New External Report screen opens. Provide the following information:

  1. Specify the Category where the External Report will be placed
  2. Define whether you want Report content to be updated manually or automatically. For Automated Collection:
    • Choose the Report Image Trigger from the drop-down list
  3. Select the Plugin Connection Profile you have created for Power BI Report Server
  4. Select the Power BI Report Server Report from which the image will be collected
  5. [Next: Define Details] 

2. External Report Configuration

  1. Show Report in: change from default "External Webpage" if you want your Report to be displayed in Viewer
    • You can choose between the iframe and static image options
  2. Select a URL template, based on which the External Report URL will be generated
    • For details on creating a URL template, see Plugin URL Editor. You need two types of URL templates for Power BI Report Server plugin:
      • Report URL Template: :server/:basicFolder/powerbi:path?rs:embed=true
      • Paginated Report URL Template: :server/:basicFolder/report:path?rs:embed=true
    • Click [Edit URL] to modify the URL by appending a question mark (?) followed by any filter or parameter settings
    • Click [Test External Report] to test how your Report will be displayed on External Webpage or in Viewer, depending on the display option selected in the previous step
  3. Report Image:
    • "Always collect all instances of external report": Collect all images and cache them on a schedule
    • "On Demand: only when needed for distribution": Individual images are only collected when they need to be included in an email
  4. [Save and Collect Image] to generate a Preview Image for the Homepage
    • Optionally, Set up image size. If not specified, it will default to 1200 x 800

Power BI Report Server Plugin collects images by taking screenshots of them in the Chromium browser.

Note: when opting to display your Report as a Static Image, make sure you Collect Image before going to Viewer.

  1. [Enable and Publish] to be able to go to Viewer

3. Verify Display in Viewer

Based on your display settings, the External Report will be shown either in an External Webpage or in the Metric Insights Viewer.