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How to Change the Download Location for Power BI Extracted Files
Question details
The user wants to change the default download location for files extracted from Power BI, or open them directly in a spreadsheet application without saving them locally first.
- Product
- Power BI Service, Web Browser
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Exporting or extracting data from Power BI to a spreadsheet application.
- Observed behavior
- Exported files are automatically saved to the browser's default Downloads folder, and cannot be opened directly from the web without a local copy being created.
Because Power BI Service operates through your web browser, file extraction behaviors are controlled by the browser itself. Determine which web browser (such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Firefox) you are currently using to access Power BI before modifying the download settings.
Change the Default Download Location in Your Web Browser
Modify your browser's download settings to choose a new destination folder for all extracted Power BI files, or set the browser to prompt you for a location every time.
Power BI Service does not have its own internal setting for download locations; it relies entirely on your browser's download manager. By default, browsers save files to the system's Downloads folder.
In Microsoft Edge, click the three horizontal dots (Settings and more) in the upper-right corner of the window and select 'Settings' from the dropdown menu.
In the left-hand sidebar menu, click on 'Downloads' to access your file saving preferences.
Click the 'Change' button next to the 'Location' path and select your preferred folder for saving Power BI data exports.
Alternatively, toggle on the option 'Ask me what to do with each download' so you can manually choose the destination for every extracted file.
View and Analyze Your Power BI Exports with WPS Office
Since Power BI requires files to be downloaded locally, you need a reliable spreadsheet tool to open and analyze your extracted data. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and fully compatible alternative to Microsoft Office for all your data analysis needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open Power BI exported files directly without saving them to my computer?
No, Power BI Service currently requires all extracted data to be downloaded to your local computer or a synced cloud folder before it can be opened in a spreadsheet application.
Why do my Power BI exports keep going to my Downloads folder?
Power BI uses your web browser to process file exports. If your browser is set to automatically save files to the default Downloads folder, Power BI exports will follow that rule.
How do I make Google Chrome ask me where to save Power BI files?
In Google Chrome, click the three dots in the top right corner, go to Settings > Downloads, and toggle the switch for 'Ask where to save each file before downloading' to the ON position.
What file formats does Power BI extract data into?
Depending on your export choices, Power BI typically extracts data as Microsoft Excel workbook (.xlsx) files or Comma Separated Values (.csv) files, both of which can be opened natively in WPS Spreadsheet.
