# Tools

The File download is suitable for complete file based ingestion and scheduled refreshes where the underlying file is updated over time. Due to performance issues, resources downloaded through the File download should be small (see Tabular Data Endpoints section for ability to query large datasets).

## Power BI

HDX file URL resources can be used directly as a data source in Power BI and other Microsoft tools that support Power Query, such as Fabric. Follow this section to connect HDX’s File URL endpoint to Power BI as a data source.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### **Open Power BI Desktop. From the Home menu, select Get data, then choose Web as the data source.**

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/DcOPR16chVhiDPRItuGI" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### In the URL field, paste the  `download_url`  for the resource you want to load.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/eu6balefUIYdr3JL8N9y" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### **If prompted for credentials, select Anonymous. If you encounter credential errors, go to File → Options and settings → Data source settings, clear existing permissions for the URL, and retry the connection.**

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### **Once the data preview loads in the Power Query Editor, click Close & Apply to load the dataset into Power BI. Power BI will re-download the file on refresh using the same URL.**

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/ggN9aDD6f3ge1vQWFO6T" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

For datasets with multiple resources or changing file structures, ensure the selected `download_url` consistently points to the intended file.


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.humdata.org/build/hdx-apis/file-download-endpoint/tools.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.