How to Solve the 'Exception' Error When Upgrading Power BI Embedded Packages: A Step-by-Step Guide
When Microsoft Power BI Embedded made the transition from its beta version to the stable release of 1.0, many developers were excited to leverage the advanced analytics capabilities within their applications. Power BI Embedded provides a powerful way for applications to integrate rich, interactive reports without requiring users to have a Power BI account. However, the upgrade path from beta to 1.0 has not been without hiccups. One common roadblock is an 'Exception' error that can occur due to a mismatch in dependencies. This guide explains how to resolve this error by making a simple yet crucial addition to your web.config file.
Understanding the 'Exception' Error
The error typically manifests as an exception during application startup or when attempting to load Power BI reports in an application that has been upgraded to use the 1.0 version of Power BI Embedded nuget packages. The exception is caused by a missing assembly reference for System.Runtime, Version=4.0.0.0
. Without this reference, the application cannot correctly load the necessary assemblies for Power BI Embedded to function properly.
The Root Cause
Power BI Embedded 1.0 relies on .NET Framework 4.6.1 and specific versions of several system assemblies, including System.Runtime. During the upgrade process, existing references in the project's web.config may not automatically update to include all required assemblies, leading to runtime errors. This oversight is easily missed because the compilation might pass without any indication of a problem until runtime.
The Fix: Adding the Required Assembly
The good news is that resolving this exception is straightforward. The solution involves manually adding the missing assembly reference to your project's web.config file. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Locate Your web.config File: This file is typically found in the root directory of your ASP.NET application.
- Edit the web.config File: Open the file with your preferred text editor or IDE.
- Add the Assembly Line: Within the
<compilation>
element, add an <assemblies>
child element if it doesn't already exist. Then, include the following line:
<add assembly="System.Runtime, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a" />
Your web.config file should look something like this after the addition:
<compilation debug="true" targetFramework="4.6.1">
<assemblies>
<add assembly="System.Runtime, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a" />
</assemblies>
</compilation>
- Save Your Changes: Once you've added the line, save the file and close the editor.
- Test Your Application: Restart your application to ensure that the exception no longer occurs.
Why is This Fix Important?
This simple addition can save hours of troubleshooting and help maintain the stability and reliability of your application, especially when upgrading essential tools like Power BI Embedded. It ensures that your application has all the necessary dependencies to run smoothly, thereby avoiding common pitfalls associated with version upgrades.
Long-Term Solutions
While this fix addresses the immediate 'Exception' error, it's important to adopt best practices to prevent similar issues in the future. Regularly reviewing and updating your project's dependencies can help catch potential conflicts early. Also, consider automating parts of your build process to include checks for missing assemblies or version mismatches.
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Conclusion
Upgrading to Power BI Embedded 1.0 offers many benefits for applications requiring embedded analytics. However, navigating the transition requires careful attention to dependencies and configurations. By following the outlined steps to add the required assembly to your web.config, you can overcome the 'Exception' error and ensure a smooth, error-free upgrade. Remember, proactive management and monitoring of your application's dependencies are key to maintaining a robust and efficient software ecosystem.