Configuring a Microsoft Power BI Datasource#

This article describes how to configure a Microsoft Power BI datasource in Reportworq using the CData ADO.NET Provider for Microsoft Power BI XMLA.

Reportworq uses data sources to connect to external systems that provide report data. A Power BI datasource allows Reportworq to query a Power BI workspace through CData’s Power BI XMLA provider.

This setup requires coordination with your Microsoft 365 or Power BI administrator, especially for the Azure app registration and workspace permissions.

Before You Begin#

Before configuring the datasource in Reportworq, confirm the following with your IT administrator:

1. The Reportworq server can reach Microsoft Power BI and Microsoft authentication endpoints.
2. The target Power BI workspace is available through XMLA.
3. The authenticating user has access to the Power BI workspace and semantic model.
4. Your organization has created or approved an Azure app registration for this connection.

Create an Azure App Registration#

Reportworq Power BI connections using Azure AD authentication require an Azure app registration. Your Microsoft administrator should create or identify an app registration that will be used for the Power BI connection.

The following values are required when configuring the datasource in Reportworq:

The app registration must be configured with the appropriate permissions for Power BI and must be approved according to your organization’s Microsoft Entra ID policies.

Add the Power BI Datasource#

1. Open the Reportworq Administration interface.
2. In the left navigation, locate Datasources.
3. Select the add icon beside the Datasources heading.
4. Choose the Microsoft Power BI / CData Power BI XMLA datasource option.
5. Enter a clear Datasource Name, for example:

   Power BI Finance Workspace

1. Select Show Advanced Options.

The advanced view exposes the CData connection properties used by the Power BI XMLA provider.

Basic Datasource Settings#

Authentication#

In the Authentication section, set:

Use AzureAD when Reportworq should connect through Microsoft Entra ID using an authenticated user account that has access to the Power BI workspace.

Azure Authentication#

In the Azure Authentication section, configure:

For most commercial Microsoft 365 tenants, GLOBAL is the correct Azure Environment.

OAuth Settings#

In the OAuth section, configure only the following fields:

After these values are entered, select Authenticate… in the OAuth section.

Reportworq will launch the Microsoft authentication process. Sign in using the Microsoft account that should be used for the datasource connection. This account must have access to the Power BI workspace and semantic model.

After authentication completes, Reportworq will obtain and store the required OAuth token information.

Workspace Setting#

Power BI XMLA requires a valid Power BI workspace value.

Depending on your Reportworq version and driver configuration, the Workspace field may appear under one of the advanced sections, such as Schema, Miscellaneous, or another CData-specific property area.

Set:

Example:

Workspace=Finance Reporting

Use the exact workspace name as it appears in Power BI.

Test and Save#

1. Select Test Connection.
2. If the test succeeds, select Enable datasource connection.
3. Select Save Changes.

The datasource is now available for use in Reportworq.

Alternative: Azure Service Principal Authentication#

Azure Service Principal authentication is an alternative authentication scheme for organizations that prefer application-based, unattended authentication instead of user-based Azure AD authentication.

This article focuses on the standard AzureAD authentication scheme. If your organization requires service principal authentication, your Microsoft administrator will need to provide the required app registration, tenant, client ID, client secret, and Power BI permissions.

At a high level, service principal authentication uses these CData settings:

Use this option only when your organization has explicitly configured Power BI and Microsoft Entra ID to allow service principal access.