Using ArcGIS Data in Power BI Elements and Visualizations

[sophered]

Hello! 

So I think I am not fully understanding the point of ArcGIS for Power BI. I want to be able to use AGOL Data to create Power BI Visualizations and I am only finding documentation for using the ArcGIS for PowerBI visualization and adding layers and just having that map with layers, but nothing really about using agol data within other visualizations. Is there functionality for this? or is it purely just the map stuff?

I followed this specific tutorial, which seems to be one of the few that allow you to use layers in the way that I want : https://www.exprodat.com/blog/using-arcgis-rest-services-as-power-bi-data-sources-part-1/

However, I am now encountering issues with being unable to refresh the data, the only solution is getting a new token and adding that to the url, which isn't something I can feasibly do every day. Is there a way around this? Has anyone had much luck with having live ArcGIS Online data in PowerBI? Also to add on, I cannot make the data public. This would have to be accessible by those in my organization through their accounts. 

[GeorgeRustean]

Hello sophered,

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