topic Re: how to connect server to power bi desktop in DAX Commands and Tips

how to connect server to power bi desktop

krishna_murthy — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:06:24 GMT

Hi Team,

We have received new requirement in server we have a SQL server those need to connect into power bi desktop which is confidencial , how we can connect

is that we have to VPN then we have to try (if yes in personal laptop which app we can try for VPN)
any other way we can connect

Re: how to connect server to power bi desktop

Praful_Potphode — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:35:04 GMT

Hi krishna_murthy

choice of VPN depends on the security protocol of the organization.there are tons of VPN client available in market.every organization configures it as per their budget and requirements.

once VPN is connected, you can connect to SQL Server using SQL Server connector in PBI Desktop.

Please give kudos or mark it as solution once confirmed.

Thanks and Regards,

Praful

Re: how to connect server to power bi desktop

lbendlin — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:10:24 GMT

Not clear which way you need this connection.

To connect INTO Power BI Desktop you need to know the port of the local SSAS instance (for example via DAX Studio) and then use your Analysis Service connector to run DAX or MDX queries and store the results in your SQL Server.

Power BI does not provide any function to manage VPN connection creation or maintenance. That is something you need to do yourself, outside of Power BI.

Re: how to connect server to power bi desktop

tayloramy — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 21:11:03 GMT

HI krishna_murthy, can we have more details?

Are you trying to connect your SQL server database to a report in Fabric? If so you will need a data gateway.

If you found this helpful, consider giving some Kudos. If I answered your question or solved your problem, mark this post as the solution.

Re: how to connect server to power bi desktop

Ahmed-Elfeel — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:11:06 GMT

Hi krishna_murthy,

First Step is to Connect to Your Company's VPN:

Get the VPN app from your IT team (Contact your IT department they will provide you with the correct VPN application Like Cisco AnyConnect or FortiClient or Palo Alto GlobalProtect and the connection details (server address and your login credentials)

Second Step is Connecting Power BI Desktop to SQL Server:

Open Power BI → Get Data → SQL Server
Enter Server name (from IT)
Choose Authentication (Windows or SQL login)
Click Connect

Third Step is for Scheduled Refresh:

If you publish your report to the Power BI Service and need the data to update automatically you need a Gateway
You need to coordinate with your IT team to ensure the gateway is set up and that your published dataset in the Power BI Service is configured to use it (On premises Data Gateway)

I hope understood your Issue very well 😅❤️

if this post helps, then I would appreciate a thumbs up and mark it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

Re: how to connect server to power bi desktop

v-menakakota — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 06:40:56 GMT

Hi krishna_murthy ,

Thanks for reaching out to the Microsoft fabric community forum.

I would also take a moment to thank lbendlin   , for actively participating in the community forum and for the solutions you’ve been sharing in the community forum. Your contributions make a real difference.

I hope the above details help you fix the issue. If you still have any questions or need more help, feel free to reach out. We’re always here to support you .

Best Regards,
Community Support Team

Re: how to connect server to power bi desktop

v-menakakota — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 05:50:26 GMT

Hi @krishna_murthy ,

I hope the above details help you fix the issue. If you still have any questions or need more help, feel free to reach out. We’re always here to support you .

Best Regards,
Community Support Team