Cannot connect to Oracle SQL

[CmdrKeene]

If I use "Get Data"/Power Query in Excel, I can connect directly to a Oracle SQL server by name, browse tables, and get the data I need.

Power BI Desktop does not connect to the same data source, although I expected it to work the same way.

I choose "Get Data" and select Oracle SQL and the database name, but it throws the error of:

Details: "An error happened while reading data from the provider: 'Object reference not set to an instance of an object.'"

I'm not sure what to try to research the issue further.

[v-qiuyu-msft]

Hi @CmdrKeene,

Did you install Power BI desktop from Download page or Windows Store? Please try to install the Power BI desktop latest version from download page then test again: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=45331

Based on my research internally, I have found a same issue happens with Windows Store Power BI desktop. This is an oracle driver issue. Because of the security models in modern apps/Store apps windows does not allow loading dlls from any folder. You can try copying all binaries in product\12.2.0\client_1\bin to product\12.2.0\client_1 and the other way (all binaries in product\12.2.0\client_1 to product\12.2.0\client_1\bin).

Best Regards,
Qiuyun Yu 

[CmdrKeene]

Thanks so much.  Installing the desktop version appeares to have allowed it to connect just as easily and seamlessly as I was hoping for.