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Work with the Power BI API

Actions32

Overview

This node interacts with the Power BI API to retrieve information about datasets within a specified workspace (group). The "Get" operation for the "Dataset" resource fetches detailed metadata about a particular dataset identified by its ID. This is useful when you want to programmatically access dataset details such as schema, refresh status, or other metadata for reporting, automation, or integration purposes.

Common scenarios:

  • Automating reports that depend on specific datasets.
  • Monitoring dataset properties or refresh states.
  • Integrating dataset metadata into other workflows or dashboards.

Example:
You might use this node to get the details of a dataset in your Power BI workspace before triggering a data refresh or to validate dataset configurations as part of an automated deployment pipeline.

Properties

Name Meaning
Authentication Method used to authenticate with Power BI API. Options are:
- OAuth2
- Bearer Token
Group (Workspace) Name or ID The Power BI group (workspace) identifier where the dataset resides. Leave blank to use the default "My Workspace". You can select from a list or specify an ID using an expression.
Dataset Name or ID The unique identifier of the dataset to retrieve. This is required. You can choose from a list of available datasets filtered by the selected group or specify an ID using an expression.

Output

The node outputs JSON data representing the detailed metadata of the requested dataset. This typically includes dataset properties such as:

  • Dataset ID
  • Name
  • Tables and columns schema
  • Refresh settings and status
  • Other dataset-specific metadata provided by the Power BI API

If the dataset contains binary data (e.g., exported files), it would be included in the binary output field, but this operation primarily returns JSON metadata.

Dependencies

  • Requires a valid connection to the Power BI API via either OAuth2 authentication or a Bearer Token.
  • The node depends on n8n credentials configured with appropriate permissions to access Power BI workspaces and datasets.
  • The user must have access rights to the specified workspace and dataset in Power BI.

Troubleshooting

  • Common issues:

    • Invalid or expired authentication tokens will cause authorization errors.
    • Specifying an incorrect or inaccessible group/workspace ID or dataset ID will result in not found errors.
    • Insufficient permissions on the Power BI service may prevent access to datasets.

  • Error messages:

    • "The resource 'dataset' is not supported!" — indicates an unsupported resource or operation was selected; verify the resource and operation parameters.
    • Authorization errors like "401 Unauthorized" — check that the API credentials are valid and have necessary scopes.
    • "Dataset not found" or similar — confirm the dataset ID and workspace ID are correct and accessible.

  • Resolution tips:

    • Re-authenticate or update API credentials if authorization fails.
    • Use the node's option to load groups and datasets dynamically to avoid manual ID entry errors.
    • Ensure the user account has sufficient permissions in Power BI.

Links and References

Discussion