Eliminate permanently a data source and allow refresh in PBI online app without expecting initial ds

[adriansuteu]

Hello.

I have conected my report to 2 data sources types initially: a MySQL database and two local files.

Later I have changed the source for the local files to the same files on OneDrive for Business (sharepoint).

I have published the report online.

The issue is that, even if I don't have any local file associated in that report, it still asks me for Gateway connection when I try to refresh it on app.powerbi.com.

I have also removed the files completely from the report data source and then re add them on the report directly from sharepoint URL. I have saved the report with a different name, publish it and still it asks for Gateway.

This is the Data Source settings now. As you can see there are no local Excel files there.

Can you please help me? What else do I have to do to make it work?

Thank you.

[JirkaZ · Accepted solution]

@adriansuteu Where is the MySQL DB located? It could be asking for a gateway because of that one.

[adriansuteu]

@JirkaZ  you are right. The SQL db is stored on a server, not on my computer. But it looks like PBI uses my personal gateway to get to that data source. The big disadvantage is that my computer has to be running in order to keep the gateway open and refresh the data online, whereas the server is always running.

I have created a new report just with the SQL source, publish it and still it asks for Gateway and only after providing the Gateway I can enter the SQL credentials and connect to the source.

Thank you for your answer!

[JirkaZ]

@adriansuteu It really depends whether the MySQL DB is accessible from the internet or not. If it's a DB on the company's network then a gateway will be needed (either personal or enterprise). You can however install the gateway (I recommend in Enterprise mode) on any computer/server on you company's network so that it doesn't rely on your computer to be always on.