Resolving the Invoke-PowerBIRestMethod URL Issue in PowerShell

Learn how to programmatically change server and database values when looping through CSV files in PowerShell for Power BI.
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Troubleshooting Invoke-PowerBIRestMethod URL Issues in PowerShell

When automating tasks with Power BI using PowerShell, you might encounter challenges related to dynamically changing variable values. A common problem occurs when using the Invoke-PowerBIRestMethod command, specifically when the URL string does not translate correctly to include variable values during a loop. This guide will guide you through a solution for this issue, allowing you to effectively program your server and database values using PowerShell.

The Problem

While attempting to loop through a CSV file to update parameters for datasets in Power BI, users have reported that the Invoke-PowerBIRestMethod command is not capturing the intended variable values. Instead, it outputs the variable name itself. This means that changes you wish to make programmatically are not being executed correctly.

The typical scenario involves having data columns in a CSV file that describe the WorkspaceID, DatasetId, and Server. The existing code may resemble the following:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In this structure, variable values are not interpolated into the JSON body of the request as intended, leading to failed commands.

The Solution

To resolve this issue, follow these steps to ensure your variables are correctly utilized in Invoke-PowerBIRestMethod:

Step 1: Import CSV and Connect to Power BI

Start by importing the CSV file containing your configuration data and also make sure you connect to your Power BI service account:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Set Variables Inside the Loop

Instead of setting your variables outside of the loop, do this within the foreach block. This ensures the variables reflect the correct values for each iteration:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 3: Use Here-Strings for Body

Using a here-string is crucial for string interpolation, especially when creating JSON bodies. Modify your body definition as such:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 4: Execute the Power BI REST Method

Finally, execute the command to update your data sources dynamically with the values from the CSV file:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

By re-arranging your PowerShell script to define variables inside the loop and utilizing here-strings for your request body, you can effectively update your Power BI data sources based on the CSV file configurations. This method not only resolves the problem you encountered but also streamlines the process for updating multiple server and database values programmatically.

Implement this solution in your PowerShell scripts to ensure that your variable translations occur correctly, allowing for smoother Power BI management and automation.