Can't open Power BI files? Use these solutions

Microsoft for Business » Power BI

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by Teodor Nechita 

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Can't open Power BI files

Power BI users have been frequently complaining about not being able to open their Power BI files at times. They have experienced error messages when trying to open Power BI files.

Unable to open document; we weren’t able to restore saved database to the model

Before following any of the steps, make sure you’ve already checked that the file you are trying to open is actually Power BI compatible, which include

  1. Power BI Desktop files (.pbix)
  2. Microsoft Excel spreadsheets (.xlsx or .xlsm)
  3. Comma Separated Value databases (.csv)

I can’t open Power BI files: What can I do about it?

1. Make sure Power Bi files are named appropriately

Rename files if needed

Similar to other services, Power Bi may experience difficulties when trying to open and read off of files named using special characters.

As such, it is recommended that you keep your filenames simple and made up of only upper and lowercase letters as well as digits. Do not include special characters such as “@”, “&”, “^” etc.

2. Consider a fresh Power BI install

Getting rid of your old Power BI installation

  1. Go to the install directory of your Power BI client
  2. Uninstall Power BI Desktop
  3. Delete the Cache and CEF folders from the following path:
    C:UsersyourusernameAppDataLocalMicrosoftPower BI Desktop
  4. Restart your Computer

Access the Power BI client with UR Browser and avoid issues with the desktop client for good.

3. Get the latest version of the Power BI desktop client

Power BI is constantly subjected to updates, so make sure you have the latest Desktop or Store App version installed. 

4. Use the Web version

The web version of Power BI is the first one to automatically update, so if you find any issues with the desktop version, just switch to the web version.

You can use the web version to open your locally stored Power BI file, thus removing the need to use any third-party data recovery software

If all else fails, you could consider looking at their forums for frequent discussions and patch notes.

Additionally, you can contact customer support and report your problem directly and follow their instructions afterward.

Teodor Nechita

Teodor Nechita Shield

Eager to help those in need, Teodor writes articles daily on subjects regarding Windows, Xbox, and all things tech-related. When not working, you may usually find him either at the gym or taking a stroll in the park, trying to find inspiration for the next articles he may write.