Using Data Sources in PowerBI Report Server (August Preview)

[Anonymous]

Hi, I have set up a Data Source on the PowerBI Server, it is a "Microsoft SQL Server" connection type, connecting to a SQL Server database. It connect successfully.

How do I use this Data Source in a report? When I open PowerBI Desktop (Report Server), there is no way to select this new Data Source.

[tanelabel]

Seems there is no knowlable answers regarding this product.

I also have similar question, how report developers will use defined connections in power bi report server  to create reports for users.

[pawlowski6132]

So, I have the same question. The original question was never answered which was:

How do I use this Data Source in a report? Or, in other words how is it used at all??

[ryanjlind]

So, every time I want to deploy the PBIX to a different environment, I need to open it from PBI Desktop from within that environment and change the queries? That is really poor.  I do not understand why I cannot change the connection string from within Report Manager just as I can for the .rdl files.

[v-qiuyu-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous,

The data source which you created in Power BI report server is not used by Power BI report. It's a shared data source which can be used by SSRS paginated reports and mobiles reports. 

To create a Power BI report, we need to connect to SQL Server data source inside of the Power BI desktop by Get Data. 

Best Regards,
Qiuyun Yu 

[Jasel]

You have to download Power BI Desktop, and seutp the data source through that.  You can find and download Power BI desktop on Power BI Report Server at the top right hand side of the page.  It looks like an arrow pointing down.

Once you create your report/dashboard using your SQL Server connection you can deploy the report to Power Bi Report Server.

You can use THIS article to assist.