Introduction
Dataflows in Fabric are powerful tools for managing and transforming data within your organization. However, sometimes, you need to see what happens inside a Dataflow without messing up the original or stepping on anyone else’s toes.
One effective way to do this is to export the Dataflow as a JSON file, which keeps the original Dataflow untouched.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps to do this. We’ll cover everything from exporting the Dataflow to dealing with some errors that might pop up during import. By the end, you’ll know how to make your changes without taking over the original Dataflow, making teamwork smoother and maintaining data integrity.
Step 1: Export the Dataflow as JSON
First, export the Dataflow you want to modify as a JSON file:
- Open your Fabric workspace.
- Find the Dataflow you want to change.
- Look for the Export .json option.
- Save the exported JSON file to your computer.
Step 2: Create a New Dataflow
Next, create a new Dataflow where you’ll import the JSON file:
- In your Fabric workspace, create a new Dataflow.
- Select the option to import a model, allowing you to bring in the existing Dataflow configuration from a JSON file.
Step 3: Import the JSON File
Now, import the exported JSON file into the new Dataflow:
- Go to the location where you saved the JSON file.
- Select the JSON file to import it into the new Dataflow.
Step 4: Handle Potential Errors
You might see an error if the original Dataflow had “Allow Native Queries” enabled. Here’s how to fix that:
- Open the JSON file in a text editor. We recommend using Visual Studio Code (VS Code), but Notepad works too.
- Search for “allowNativeQueries” in the file.
- Change the value from true to false.
Step 5: Re-import the Edited JSON File
After editing the JSON file, save it and re-import it:
- Save the edited JSON file.
- Repeat the steps to create a new Dataflow and import the JSON file (Steps 2 and 3).
Step 6: Adjust Settings and Credentials
After successfully importing the Dataflow, make sure everything works:
- If native queries were originally allowed, you’ll need to re-enable them in the Dataflow edit mode.
- Re-enter any necessary credentials for the data sources, as these won’t be carried over in the import.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can modify a Dataflow in Fabric without taking it over, keeping the original Dataflow intact.
We hope this guide helps you manage your Dataflows more effectively. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out!
Happy data flowing!