How to Fix PowerPoint Not Showing Power BI Reports as Saved Images
You may encounter a PowerPoint issue when your Power BI reports no longer display as saved images. Microsoft updated the Power BI add-in for PowerPoint and removed the 'Show as Saved Image' feature. Now, there are new snapshot options available to display static images of your reports. Use these new methods to resolve your issue and present your data clearly.
Key Takeaways
Microsoft took away the old 'Show as Saved Image' feature in Power BI for PowerPoint. They added new snapshot choices. These let you pick who can see report images.
Use the 'Snapshot' choice to show report images only to people who have access. Or use 'Public snapshot' to share images with everyone, even if they do not have Power BI access.
To fix the problem, put your Power BI report in PowerPoint. Sign in. Pick the right snapshot mode from the Live Data button before you save your slides.
If you still have trouble, check your permissions. Update PowerPoint and the add-in. Refresh the visuals. Make sure your internet works well.
If you want more control, export report pages as images by hand or put images online. But remember, these ways need you to update things yourself and check permissions.
PowerPoint Issue with Power BI Reports
Feature Changes
Sometimes, Power BI reports in PowerPoint do not show saved images. Microsoft took away the 'Show as Saved Image' feature from the Power BI add-in. This change confused many users. The old button might still show up, but it does not work. Presentations that used the old snapshot method can break or show errors. You might see loading screens or moving pictures instead of quick images. This can be annoying if you want to view slides offline.
The new snapshot feature gives better choices than before. Now, you can decide who sees report images in your slides. The add-in has two snapshot types. One lets everyone see the image. The other lets only Power BI users see it. The update makes it easier to find snapshot options. You can pick live data or a static image from a dropdown menu under the report name.
Here is a table that shows the differences between the old and new features:
Tip: If you see the old 'Show as Saved Image' button, remember it does not work anymore. Use the new snapshot options for better results.
Snapshot Options
You can fix the PowerPoint issue by using the new snapshot choices in the Power BI add-in. The Live Data button lets you pick between two modes:
Snapshot: This freezes the current view as a picture. Only people with permission to see the Power BI report can view the image. If someone cannot see it, they can ask for access from the presentation.
Public snapshot: This makes a picture that anyone can see, even if they do not have Power BI access. This helps when you want to share your slides with more people.
To use these choices, open your Power BI report in PowerPoint. Look for the Live Data button at the bottom left of the report. Click it and pick either 'Snapshot' or 'Public snapshot' from the dropdown. Save your slides. When you open them again, the report will show as a picture based on what you picked.
You can also use keyboard shortcuts to switch quickly:
Ctrl+Shift+7: Live data mode
Ctrl+Shift+9: Public snapshot mode
Note: The snapshot feature works in the PowerPoint desktop app with Office version 2312 (Build 17126) or newer. PowerPoint for the web follows your desktop choice but cannot change views by itself.
When you pick a snapshot option, you choose who can see your report images. The public snapshot lets anyone with the slides see the data, so use it with care. The regular snapshot keeps your data private and safe, showing images only to people who are allowed.
If you want to share your slides with people who do not have Power BI access, pick the public snapshot. If you want to keep your data safe, use the regular snapshot. Both choices help you avoid problems in PowerPoint and make your slides work better.
Fixing PowerPoint Issue
Step-by-Step Solution
You can solve the PowerPoint issue with Power BI reports by following these steps. This guide helps you embed your report as a static image using the new snapshot options.
Open Your PowerPoint Slide
Start PowerPoint and go to the slide where you want to add your Power BI report.Insert the Power BI Add-in
Go to the "Insert" tab. Select "Get Add-ins" and search for "Power BI." Install the official Power BI add-in from Microsoft.Embed Your Power BI Report
Copy the link to your Power BI report from the Power BI Service. Paste this link into the Power BI add-in window in PowerPoint. Make sure the link starts with
https://app.powerbi.com/
.
Sign In and Authenticate
Sign in with your Power BI account. Use the same account that has access to the report.Choose Snapshot Options
Look for the "Live Data" button at the bottom left of the embedded report. Click it. Select either "Snapshot" (for users with access) or "Public snapshot" (for everyone). This step fixes the PowerPoint issue where images do not show.Save and Verify
Save your PowerPoint file. Close and reopen it to check if the report appears as a static image. If you see the image, you have fixed the PowerPoint issue.
Tip: Always check that you have the right permissions to view the report in Power BI. If you do not, the image may not load.
Here is a quick checklist to verify your setup:
Troubleshooting
If you still face a PowerPoint issue after following the steps, try these troubleshooting tips:
Check Permissions and Access
Make sure you have permission to view the report in Power BI.
Confirm your license is valid. Power BI Pro or PPU may be required.
If you see errors or blank images, ask your admin to grant access.
Review Tenant and Admin Settings
Your organization’s admin must enable the Power BI add-in for PowerPoint.
If you cannot find the add-in, your admin may need to enable support for add-ins in Microsoft Office.
In some regions, admins must deploy the add-in using Centralized Deployment.
Fix Common Errors
If you see empty images, check if the visuals are grouped in Power BI. Ungroup them before embedding.
If visuals are missing, use the "Refresh visual list" button in the update pane.
If you get errors about expired tokens or unauthorized access, sign out and sign back in.
Make sure the report link is correct and the report still exists.
Update and Refresh
Update PowerPoint and the Power BI add-in to the latest versions.
Refresh the embedded report using the Refresh button in PowerPoint.
If the image does not update after changes in Power BI, refresh the data source in Power BI and check for errors in the data.
Check Network and Compatibility
Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
If you use advanced filters or grouped visuals, simplify them for better compatibility.
Avoid scaling your display above 200%, as this may cause display issues.
Note: Some PowerPoint issues happen if the add-in is disabled in your organization or if your browser does not support Power BI. Try clearing your browser cache or switching browsers if you have trouble signing in.
Here are some frequent errors and how to fix them:
Empty images: Ungroup visuals in Power BI.
Missing visuals: Refresh the visual list in PowerPoint.
Unauthorized errors: Check your permissions and sign in again.
Visuals deleted or renamed: Re-embed the updated visual.
Filter issues: Adjust filters in Power BI before embedding.
If you follow these steps and tips, you can solve most PowerPoint issues with Power BI reports. You will be able to present your data as static images, even after the recent changes to the add-in.
Workarounds and Best Practices
Manual Image Export
There are different ways to add Power BI visuals to slides. If the snapshot options do not work for you, try exporting report pages as images. The Power BI service lets you save each report page as a picture in PowerPoint. You can also copy visuals from Power BI and paste them into your slides. These manual steps help you control where and how big the images are. You can move things around and make sure each visual looks good.
Manual export methods, like screenshots or copying visuals, let you change how your slides look. You can zoom in on important data or crop images to show what matters most. For better image quality, set your report page size to 16:9 and use 1280x720 resolution before exporting. This stops images from looking blurry or pixelated. Remember, these images do not update by themselves when your data changes. You must export again if you change your report.
Some people put images online to share them easily. SharePoint Online is a popular place to store and add images. You can upload Power BI report images to SharePoint and then put them in your slides. This is good for safe sharing, but viewers need access to SharePoint. If you move the image, the link might break, so keep your files in order.
Tip: Make your report view big and match the page size to your slide before exporting. This keeps images clear and sharp.
Permissions and Compatibility
Check permissions before you share Power BI images in PowerPoint. Only people with access to the report can see linked or added visuals. Exported files keep the same security rules as your Power BI report. Sensitivity labels protect private data and let only the right people see it.
Old PowerPoint versions may not work well with Power BI add-ins. You might see problems or need to refresh visuals by hand. Test your slides on different devices to make sure they look right. If you use online hosting, check that everyone can get to the image location.
Follow these best practices to show reports the right way:
Use light backgrounds so slides are easy to read.
Give visuals names that make sense for business.
Do not put too many visuals on one slide.
Test your slides on more than one device.
Label slides so people know what the data means.
Use certified visuals for better results.
Match report page size to common slide sizes.
Check permissions before you share slides.
Update slides when your data changes.
📝 Keep your slides simple and clear. Good visuals help people understand your data.
You can solve PowerPoint problems with Power BI reports by using the new snapshot choices. These choices help you decide who can see your data. They also help keep your slides easy to read.
The latest updates make it simple to add live reports. You can choose which pages to show and control who can see them.
If you need help, Microsoft has forums, blogs, and learning guides.
Keep checking for new features. These tips help you share your data easily and make your presentations look good.
FAQ
Why does my Power BI report not show as an image in PowerPoint?
You need to use the new snapshot options in the Power BI add-in. The old 'Show as Saved Image' feature no longer works. Click the Live Data button and select either 'Snapshot' or 'Public snapshot' to display your report as an image.
How do I share my Power BI report image with people who do not have access?
Choose 'Public snapshot' in the Power BI add-in. This option lets anyone see the report image, even if they do not have Power BI access. Save your presentation after making this selection.
What should I do if the Power BI add-in does not appear in PowerPoint?
Check your Office version. Update PowerPoint to the latest version. Ask your IT admin to enable the Power BI add-in for your organization. You may need permission to install add-ins.
Can I update the report image after making changes in Power BI?
Yes. Refresh the embedded report in PowerPoint using the Refresh button. If you exported the image manually, repeat the export process to update the slide with the latest data.
What if I see a blank image or error message instead of my report?
Check your Power BI permissions. Make sure you have access to the report. Sign in again if needed. Ungroup visuals in Power BI before embedding. Update PowerPoint and the add-in to the newest versions.