ArcGIS Online data layers not showing in Power BI unless ....

GeorgeRustean

Hello,

I am encountering the issue where I can add a ArcGIS Online data layer onto the map in Power BI desktop. I then save the report, close Power BI desktop. When I then open it again, the map shows up but no data layers showing. 

I have discovered that I need to add a semantic model (this is a small table with 2 aggregated columns - values '1234', '5678'). I then just add one column to the map visual with all my data layers. Save the report and also publish the report and all the data layers are still there.

This is not the ideal method so I would like to know if there is a better way.

 

Thanks,

 

George

KanikaKumar

@GeorgeRustean 

You have actually hit upon a core architectural behavior of the ArcGIS for Power BI visual, though it feels like a bug.

What you are experiencing is expected: the ArcGIS visual requires an active data link from Power BI to trigger its internal rendering engine upon loading. When Power BI reopens a report and initializes the visual, if the visual's data wells (like Location, Latitude/Longitude, or Join Layer) are entirely empty, the visual acts as an uninitialized placeholder. It displays the basic map canvas but fails to re-fetch or draw any independent ArcGIS Online reference layers you added manually during your last session.