How to connect SQL Server to Power BI ?Power BI interview questions and answers 308

 How to connect SQL Server to Power BI ?

Here's a guide to connecting SQL Server to Power BI:

1. Gather Connection Information:

• Server Name: The name or IP address of your SQL Server instance.

• Database Name: The specific database you want to connect to.

• Authentication: Choose between Windows Authentication or SQL Server Authentication.

• Credentials: Provide your username and password if using SQL Server Authentication.

2. Launch Power BI Desktop:

• Open Power BI Desktop on your computer.

3. Get Data:

• Click on the "Get Data" button in the Home ribbon.

• Select "Database" from the list of data sources.

• Choose "SQL Server" as the database type.

4. Connect to Database:

• In the Server dialog box, enter the required connection details:

• Server name

• Database name

• Authentication method

• Credentials (if needed)

• Click "Connect".

5. Choose Data Connectivity Mode:

• Import: Loads data directly into Power BI Desktop, allowing for full report creation and interactivity.

• DirectQuery: Connects in real-time, retrieving data from the database upon interaction, suitable for large or frequently changing datasets.

6. Select Tables and Views:

• Navigate the database objects in the Navigator pane.

• Select the tables or views you want to import or analyze.

• Click "Load" to import data or "Transform Data" to apply transformations before loading.

7. Customize Connection (Optional):

• Click on the "Advanced options" link in the Server dialog box to:

• Specify a custom SQL statement.

• Adjust timeout settings.

• Enable encryption.

8. Build Reports and Visuals:

• Once connected, create reports and visuals using Power BI's tools and features.

Additional Tips:

• Gateway Required for On-Premises Data: If your SQL Server is on-premises, you'll need to install and configure an on-premises data gateway to enable Power BI to access it.

• Verify Permissions: Ensure your user account has necessary permissions to access the SQL Server database.

• Troubleshooting: Refer to Microsoft's documentation and community resources for assistance with connection errors or issues.