Exporting filtered Power BI table data for non-Power BI users can be time-consuming and error-prone when done manually. This blog explains how to automate that process-without writing code-by combining Power BI, Power Automate, and SharePoint.
You’ll learn how to:
Add a Power Automate trigger inside a Power BI report
Convert selected data into a CSV file
Store the exported file in a SharePoint folder for others to access
Whether you’re building reports or supporting business users, this guide provides clear steps to make Power BI exports easier and more reliable.
Tools You’ll Need
To follow along with this setup, you’ll need access to:
Power BI Desktop – to build and publish your report
Power Automate – to create the flow that handles CSV export
SharePoint Online – to store the exported CSV files
These are all part of Microsoft’s Power Platform and work together natively.
The Problem This Solves
You want to:
Export filtered data from a Power BI visual—not just raw datasets
Automate the export to avoid manual downloads
Save the file to SharePoint so others can access it
Let end users trigger the export with a single click inside the report
This guide offers a step-by-step approach to achieve all of that using native Microsoft tools.
Step 1: Add the Power Automate Visual in Power BI
Start by opening your Power BI report in Power BI Desktop.
From the Visualizations pane, select the Power Automate visual
Drag and drop it onto your report canvas
Resize and place it near the data table you want users to export
This visual acts as a trigger. When clicked, it will run the Power Automate flow connected to it.
Step 2: Select the Required Columns
From the Fields pane in Power BI, choose the table and specific columns you want to export as part of the CSV.
Drag these fields into the Power Automate visual you added earlier
This connects your selected data to the flow as dynamic content
Only the fields you assign to the visual will be available inside Power Automate, so include every column the export should contain.
Step 3: Create or Edit the Power Automate Flow
With the Power Automate visual selected in your report:
Click the ellipsis (⋯) icon in the corner of the visual
Select Edit – this opens the Power Automate designer embedded in Power BI
If you already have an existing flow, you can edit it; otherwise, start a new flow from scratch
This is where you’ll define what happens after the button is clicked – including formatting the data and exporting the file.
Step 4: Compose the Data
Inside your flow, add a Compose action. This step helps capture and prepare the Power BI data before converting it into a CSV.
Search for and add the Compose action from the built-in connectors
In the Inputs field, select the dynamic content labeled PowerBIData (or similar)
This represents the data passed from the Power BI visual
Think of this as a temporary container that holds your table data before it’s transformed into a CSV format.
Step 5: Create the CSV Table
Now that your data is captured, you’ll convert it into a CSV format using a built-in Power Automate action.
Add the Create CSV Table action from the Data Operations connector
In the From field, select the output from your Compose step
Leave the rest of the options as default, unless you want to customize the column order or headers
This action transforms your Power BI data into a properly formatted CSV string, ready for file creation.
Step 6: Create the File in SharePoint
Now you’ll add a step to save the CSV data into a SharePoint folder.
Add the Create File action from the SharePoint connector
Fill in the required fields:
Site Address: The URL of your SharePoint site
Folder Path: The folder where you want the file to be stored
File Name: Choose a static name like FilteredData.csv or use dynamic content, e.g. FilteredData_<date>.csv
File Content: Use the output from the Create CSV Table step
When the flow runs, a CSV file with your selected Power BI data will be saved directly to the specified SharePoint location.
Step 7: Save, Apply, and Publish
Once your Power Automate flow is complete:
Click Save in the Power Automate designer
Return to Power BI and click Apply on the Power Automate visual
Finally, Publish your report to the Power BI Service
Now, when a user opens the report and clicks the Power Automate button, it will:
Trigger the flow
Export the filtered table
Save a CSV file in the configured SharePoint folder
This setup works in both Power BI Desktop (for design) and the Power BI Service (for execution by end users).
End-User Instructions
1. Open the Power BI Report
Navigate to the table which you want to convert in CSV Format.
2. Navigate to the Table You Want to Export
Click on Power Automate Configured button- name as Create Table here.
3. Validate new file in SharePoint
It will create a CSV file in given SharePoint site location.
After completing the export and validating your file in SharePoint, you’ve successfully enabled an automated reporting mechanism with zero manual downloads.
If you found this integration useful, you might also be interested in learning how to Export Power BI to SQL Server, another low-code method for extending Power BI capabilities beyond dashboards.
Conclusion
Exporting Power BI data to CSV is often a manual task that leads to delays and inconsistencies. This guide provides a way to automate those exports with Power Automate, giving users a more efficient way to deliver table data. Whether you’re sharing updates across teams or archiving reports, using Power Automate and SharePoint improves consistency, avoids errors, and saves time.
By combining visuals with automation, business users can deliver data in real-time without writing a line of code or relying on advanced scripts.
Need help automating your Power BI exports?
Use Power Automate with Power BI to schedule and export data to CSV – without manual effort.
FAQs
How can I automate Power BI data exports to CSV without code?
You can automate CSV exports from Power BI using Power Automate and SharePoint. This method uses low-code cloud flows to extract table visuals and save them in CSV format-no manual downloads or scripting needed. For step-by-step instructions, refer to our guide on exporting Power BI to SQL Server.
Is it possible to export Power BI visuals instead of full datasets?
Yes. This method exports specific table visuals-not raw datasets-by combining a Power BI button visual and Power Automate flow. It’s useful for sharing filtered data with users who don't access the Power BI workspace.
What are the benefits of exporting Power BI tables to SharePoint as CSV?
Storing CSVs in SharePoint helps manage version control and gives non-Power BI users access to updated data. This also improves automation and reduces manual overhead. Learn more about similar automation in our post on Power Automate Flow Version History.
Does this solution require Power BI Premium or Pro license?
This approach works with a Power BI Pro license. You don’t need Power BI Premium unless you're using large datasets or enterprise-scale features. Microsoft offers a comparison chart here.
Can I trigger Power BI CSV export on button click?
Yes. This solution uses a Power BI button visual configured to pass table metadata to Power Automate. When clicked, the flow runs and saves the CSV file directly to SharePoint. For similar end-user workflows, read our blog on custom login page in PowerApps Portal.
Where else can I use Power Automate with Power BI?
Beyond CSV exports, Power Automate can be used to schedule report delivery, send email alerts, or integrate with Teams, SQL, and SharePoint. For example, see how we use it for Secure File Uploads in PowerApps.