Connect to files stored in OneDrive for a classic workspace

  • 2 minutes to read

When you create a classic workspace in Power BI, you're also creating a Microsoft 365 group, with an associated OneDrive for Business. This article explains how to store and update your Excel, CSV, and Power BI Desktop files on that OneDrive for Business. Those updates are automatically reflected in the Power BI reports and dashboards based on the files.

Note

The new workspace experience changes the relationship between Power BI workspaces and Microsoft 365 groups. You don't automatically create a Microsoft 365 group every time you create one of the new workspaces. You can also set a workspace OneDrive for a new workspace.

Adding files to your classic workspace is a two-step process:

  1. First you upload files to the OneDrive for Business for your workspace.
  2. Then you connect to those files from Power BI.

Note

Workspaces are only available with a Power BI Pro license.

1 Upload files to the OneDrive for Business for your workspace

  1. In the Power BI service, select the arrow next to Workspaces > select the ellipsis (…) next to your workspace name.

    Screenshot of the Power B I workspace, showing the selected workspace name.

  2. Select Files to open the OneDrive for Business for your workspace on Microsoft 365.

    Note

    If you don't see Files on the workspace menu, select Members to open the OneDrive for Business for your workspace. There, select Files. Microsoft 365 sets up a OneDrive storage location for your app's group workspace files. This process may take some time.

  3. Here, you can upload your files to the OneDrive for Business for your workspace. Select Upload, and navigate to your files.

    Screenshot of the OneDrive for Business, showing how to navigate to upload a file.

2 Import Excel files as datasets or as Excel Online workbooks

Now that your files are in the OneDrive for Business for your workspace, you have a choice. You can:

Import or connect to the files in your workspace

  1. In Power BI, switch to the workspace, so the workspace name is in the top-left corner.

  2. Select Get Data at the bottom of the nav pane.

    Screenshot of the Get Data button, showing it in the navigation pane.

  3. In the Files box, select Get.

    Screenshot of the Files dialog, showing the Get button.

  4. Select OneDrive - Your Workspace Name.

    Screenshot of three tiles to select your workspace, showing Local File, OneDrive, and SharePoint.

  5. Select the file you want > Connect.

    At this point, you decide whether to import the data from the Excel workbook, or connect to the whole Excel workbooks.

  6. Select Import or Connect.

    Screenshot of the OneDrive for Business dialog, showing Import from Excel or Connect to Excel.

  7. If you select Import, then the workbook appears on the Datasets tab.

    Screenshot of the Workspaces in Power B I, showing the Datasets tab.

    If you select Connect, then the workbook is on the Workbooks tab.

    Screenshot of the Workspaces in Power B I, showing the Workbooks tab.

Next steps