List columns for a table in the connected Power BI Desktop model
AI agents call desktop_list_columns to retrieve information from Power BI MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and displays column metadata from a Power BI Desktop model table. It has no side effects, does not modify data, execute code, delete resources, or involve financial transactions. It is a straightforward informational query of model schema, comparable to database introspection tools.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'desktop_list_columns' and description 'List columns for a table in the connected Power BI Desktop model' indicate a retrieval operation that queries metadata without modification.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
List columns for a table in the connected Power BI Desktop model. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Power BI MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Power BI MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for desktop_list_columns: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Power BI MCP Server. Nothing to install.
desktop_list_columns is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the desktop_list_columns rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for desktop_list_columns. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
desktop_list_columns is provided by the Power BI MCP Server MCP server (sulaiman013/powerbi-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.