Advanced Power BI: Data Source Connections and Settings

Name: Advanced Power BI: Data Source Connections and Settings
Author: Elizabeth Vergara

Learn to use files and privacy levels

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Course: On-Demand

In this video, we will review power BI data source files. Let's get started. PBIDS files are power BI desktop files that have specific data connection structure. These files have a .pbids extension to identify it as a power BI data source file. Power BI data source files automate the GET data experience for new or beginner report creators. When an author opens up a PBIDS file, power BI desktop opens and prompts the user for credentials to authenticate and connect to the data source that's specified in the file. Currently PBIDS only support a single data source in one file, specifying more than one will result in an error. To create a PBIDS file, select file, options and settings and data source settings. The dialogue window appears where we can select our data source that we want to export the PBIDS. For this particular example, we have one data connection to a server and the database knowledge set it demo. Here we can at the bottom of the dialog box export the PBIDS, will click on export PBIDS, and here we're given the name of the file with an extension of .pbids, and we'll click on save. And now we'll navigate to that file. We'll double click it. And when the file opens, it will make a connection to the server and the database. And then it'll prompt us to specify the tables or views that we're interested in bringing into the data model. So it really does reduce that time to get the data that already has the connection in the file itself. So it simplifies the process. Now we can also open this .JSON file in a text editor and modify the file further including specifying the mode of connection and the type of connection as either direct query or import. So we'll right click on the file and we'll open with notepad, so you can just see what that looks like. Here we got a .JSON file which says the type of connection the server and the database, as well as the connection mode, we can specify as either direct query or import. If the mode is missing or null in the file, the user who opens the power BI file is prompted to select direct query or import. PBID files don't include authentication information and table and schema information. It's just the connection to the source information. For other data sources, you can refer to the data source reference format for protocol and address information. So for example, we have a webpage here, where we can see what the structure for a Azure connection would be versus a folder, an OData feed, SAP, SharePoint lists, SQL server, Text file, Web and Dataflow. And we can also look into specific data source reference specification properties here as well using Microsoft documentation. This concludes our session on connecting to power BI data source files. Thank you for watching.

Advanced Provider : Elizabeth Vergara 2 Lessons · 5m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

PBIDS files are Power BI desktop files that have a specific data connection structure. By using these files, you can save time getting the data that already has the connection in the file itself. You can also quickly and easily modify the file using a text editor. With privacy level settings, you can specify an isolation level that defines the degree that one data source must be isolated from others. There are three different privacy levels: private, organizational, and public. By changing your privacy levels, you can determine who has access to your data. So how do you simplify the process? What can you do to keep your data confidential?

In this course, you will review Power BI data source files, including how to create, save, and navigate the files. You will also learn about Power BI privacy levels. By the end of this course, you will be able to connect to advanced data sources and automate the data connection process using Power BI data source files.

What You'll Learn

Explore advanced Power BI data source options and settings
Create, save, and navigate Power BI data source (PBIDS) files
Export PBIDS and PBI Desktop files
Identify the private, organizational, and public privacy levels for data sources
Set privacy levels to protect data and control access
Automate the data connection process using Power BI data source files

Key Takeaways

PBIDS files are Power BI Desktop files with a specific data connection structure that save time by storing the connection within the file itself.
PBIDS files can be quickly and easily modified using a text editor.
Privacy level settings let you specify an isolation level that defines how much one data source must be isolated from others.
Power BI offers three privacy levels: private, organizational, and public, and changing them determines who has access to your data.
By the end of the course, learners can connect to advanced data sources and automate the data connection process using Power BI data source files.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will I be able to do after completing this course?

By the end of the course, you will be able to connect to advanced data sources and automate the data connection process using Power BI data source files.

What does this course cover?

The course reviews Power BI data source files, including how to create, save, and navigate them, and covers Power BI privacy levels. Lessons include Export PBIDS and PBI Desktop, and Privacy Levels For Data Sources.

What are PBIDS files?

PBIDS files are Power BI Desktop files with a specific data connection structure. Because the connection is saved in the file itself, they save time getting data, and they can be quickly modified using a text editor.

What are the privacy levels in Power BI?

There are three privacy levels: private, organizational, and public. They specify an isolation level defining how much one data source must be isolated from others, and changing them determines who has access to your data.

What skills does this course help build?

The course is associated with skills including Advanced Analytics, Data Access, Data Files, Microsoft Power BI Embedded, Power BI, and Source Data.