Question

How do I ensure the deployment pipeline in Power BI maintains versioning for each report?
I use deployment pipelines but need clarity on how to manage version control for reports—whether Power BI supports this natively or if I should integrate with external tools.

Answer 1

1. Make use of OneLake/Workspace History (Limited)

You can see what was deployed and when because Power BI keeps a deployment history for every pipeline stage.

This is more akin to an activity log, though, and does not permit rollbacks or full-version snapshots.

2. PBIX File Export for Manual Versioning

Export the Power BI Desktop PBIX file and store it in a version-controlled folder or SharePoint document library with timestamps or change notes prior to deployment.

3. Include Source Control (Suggested)

To convert PBIX files to text-based files, use the preview feature of the Power BI Project (PBIP) format.

For appropriate branching, merging, and auditing, store and version these files in GitHub, Azure DevOps, or Git.

4. Adopt DevOps Pipelines

• Integrate Power BI with Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines:
  • Store PBIX/PBIP files in Git.
  • Automate deployment to Power BI workspaces via Power BI REST API.
  • Track versions and changes per commit or release tag.

5. Use Metadata Documentation Tools

• Use tools like Power BI Helper, Tabular Editor, or Document the Data Model to snapshot metadata and track structural changes across deployments.