Data Recovery In Power BI

Lost your files while using Power BI and looking to recover your data? Being one of the most used Microsoft tools in tech companies, losing data is a normal occurrence. Daily working of files and reports may result in accidental deletion, corruption, or other data loss events. This is why learning to recover data is essential to becoming a proficient Power BI user. 
 

Data recovery in Power BI primarily has two methods: using Power BI’s built-in backup and restore method or using third-party apps. Mastering Power BI and its other components can be done through an advanced Power BI course in London.

Ready to restore your lost data? Go through this article to learn how to recover data with the built-in backup and restore method and using third-party apps. By the end, you will be equipped with all the data restoration methods. 

Key Takeaways 

• Power BI backup and restore features are only available to users who have a premium Power BI subscription.
• Third-party backup solutions are more automated and easier to restore lost data. 
• Power BI PPU uses XMLA endpoints to connect your Power BI workspace to your Azure Data Lake Gen 2. 
• Manual process for data recovery requires tools like SSMS and knowledge to handle endpoints. 

1. Power BI Backup and Restore (Premium/PPU)

Backup and restore is an in-built feature of Power BI by Microsoft. It is specifically designed for semantic models (also known as datasets) and is only available to users with Power BI Premium or Premium Per User (PPU) licenses.

Backup and restore method uses XMLA endpoints to connect your Power BI workspace to your own Azure Data Lake Gen2 (ADLS Gen2) account. When you initiate a backup, an .abf file (Analysis Services Backup) is saved to a dedicated folder in your Azure account. This file contains a full copy of your semantic model and the data within it.

How It Works:

1. Configuration: At first, you have to configure a connection between your Power BI workspace and a designated ADLS Gen2 storage account. This is typically done at the tenant or workspace level.
2. Backup Process: The Backup process can be performed using tools like SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or through PowerShell scripts. The .abf backup file is automatically generated and stored in your ADLS Gen2 account.
3. Restore Process: To restore, you simply place the .abf file in the correct backup folder and use SSMS or PowerShell to initiate the restore process. The restored dataset can overwrite an existing one or be created as a new dataset.

Strengths and Weaknesses:

Strengths	Weaknesses
Native & Integrated: Directly supported by Microsoft and integrates seamlessly with Azure.	Limited Availability: Only available for Premium/PPU users.
Complete Dataset Backup: Creates a full, complete backup of the data model and its data.	Manual Process: Requires external tools like SSMS and some technical knowledge of XMLA endpoints.
Cost-Effective: You only pay for the Azure storage used, with no additional licensing fees.	Doesn’t Back Up Reports: This feature is for datasets only; it doesn’t back up the visual report files (.pbix).
Disaster Recovery: Excellent for enterprise-grade disaster recovery and meeting data retention compliance needs.	Complexity: Setup can be more involved compared to user-friendly third-party options.

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2. Third-Party Backup Solutions

Third-party providers often offer more automated and user-friendly approaches. These are typically SaaS solutions that you connect your Power BI tenant to using APIs. Obviously, they are very strict with people who don’t have a premium licence. 

How It Works:

1. API Connection: The third-party service connects to your Power BI using an API.
2. Automated Backups: You configure the service to run on a set schedule (e.g., daily or multiple times a day). It automatically sends your .pbix files (which contain both the report and the data model) to a cloud storage location, often in your own Azure Storage account.
3. Simplified Restore: These platforms also include a web interface so that you can browse your backups by date, preview the different versions, and restore a specific report or dataset.

Interesting Facts 
Taking a quick action and not using your device further can increase the success rate of recovering data.

Strengths and Weaknesses:

Strengths	Weaknesses
User-Friendly: Simple to set up and manage with a clear interface, no coding required.	Additional Cost: Requires a separate subscription, adding to your overall Power BI expenses.
Automated & Scheduled: Offers “set it and forget it” functionality for consistent backups.	API Limitations: May not capture certain large-scale datasets or those using advanced features like XMLA endpoints.
Full Report Backup: Backs up both reports and datasets in the .pbix file format.	Data Residency: You need to ensure the third-party service’s data storage policies meet your compliance requirements.
Granular Recovery: Allows for easy, granular recovery of a single report or even a single file.	Performance: Backup speed and efficiency can vary depending on the provider and the size of your tenant.

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Conclusion

A recent survey found that 68% of companies have suffered from data loss, whether accidental or malicious. This makes it crucial to have a robust backup. For large enterprises with Premium licenses, the Power BI backup and restore feature is robust and secure. Smaller enterprises that don’t have premium licences, and also large organisations that take a ‘belt and braces’ approach, an external backup solution is critical.

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