Configuring Scheduled Refresh

What Is Scheduled Refresh?

Scheduled refresh automatically updates an imported semantic model at configured times, reducing the need for users to refresh it manually.

For example, a sales report might refresh every morning before managers review the previous day's performance.

Scheduled refresh is especially useful for business reports that depend on regularly updated databases, spreadsheets, or other supported sources.

Configuring a Refresh Schedule

A typical configuration process in the Power BI Service is:

1. Open the workspace containing the semantic model.
2. Locate the relevant semantic model.
3. Open its settings.
4. Configure data source credentials if required.
5. Configure gateway and connection settings if required.
6. Locate the refresh schedule section.
7. Enable scheduled refresh.
8. Choose the required frequency, time, and time zone where available.
9. Save the settings.

The interface and available options may vary depending on the semantic model type, source, capacity, and current Power BI configuration.

Choosing a Suitable Refresh Frequency

The refresh frequency should match the business requirement.

Avoid refreshing data more frequently than necessary. Excessive refreshes can consume resources and create unnecessary load on source systems.

Refresh Limits and Capacity

Power BI refresh limits depend on the license, capacity, model type, and service configuration. Do not assume that every workspace has the same refresh frequency or resource limits.

Check the current Microsoft Power BI documentation and your organization's capacity settings before designing a production refresh schedule.

Also consider the time required for each refresh. A schedule that starts a new refresh before the previous one finishes may cause operational problems or unexpected delays.