Change data source existing resource

[gbaia]

Hi there, 

I'm new to power BI 🙂 

I'm ready to create some reports to show the users, however, I'm not sure how we'll be setting up the data source to get the data daily into Power BI. 

For now, I'm thinking of just getting the data from csv files so I can create the reports, test, show the users. 

Later I'd then need to change the data source for something more automatic / less manual.

Can I do this? Easily change the data source for existing reports? Or will it mess up my reports and I'll need to redo them?

Thank you! 

[gbaia]

Thank you. After all, we decided to do the data coming from an FTP, so I'll do it like that straight away - haven't tested yet, but hopefully it'll work.

If not, I'll start with spreadsheets and then try the above.

Thank you! 

[gbaia]

Thank you! I thought it wouldn't be straight forward.

What would be the pros and cons of connecting directly to the CRM DB - SQL Server or MySQL?

Can I connect to it, but then build the relationship on Power BI of what / which tables I need to use? Would it make it slow or slow down the CRM that uses that DB? 

I'm really quick on understanding how to do the reports, but can't picture the best way to connect to the data and get it refreshed easily.

Thank you so much! 

[v-yingjl · Accepted solution]

Hi @gbaia ,

"What would be the pros and cons of connecting directly to the CRM DB - SQL Server or MySQL?"

In power bi dekstop, SQL DB supports import mode and direct query mode to connect, MySQL DB only supports import mode to connect.

I think you want to know the difference between import mode and direct query mode in power bi desktop. You can refer this viedo and article:

1. Power BI Get Data: Import vs. DirectQuery vs. Live (2021) 
2. Import v Direct Query: Here's What You Need to Know 

"Can I connect to it, but then build the relationship on Power BI of what / which tables I need to use? Would it make it slow or slow down the CRM that uses that DB? "

Surely you can. When you connect to the database, you can select any tables that you need to use in the Navigator page. Power BI would detect the relationships in these tables automatically. Or you can create relationships as your needed in the Relationship view. You can refer: Create and manage relationships in Power BI Desktop 

For the performance, it depends on many factors like the size of dataset, the queries, dax formulas etc. But the performance of database itself would not be affected except you change the tables in the database because the transformations would be done in power bi, database is just used to connect.

"but can't picture the best way to connect to the data and get it refreshed easily."

If you want to refresh data in Power BI desktop, you need to click the 'Refresh' button manually to get the latest data or if the connection mode is direct query, you can set 'auto refresh page for it' to refresh it automatically. Please refer: Automatic page refresh in Power BI 

To refresh the report easily, you can pulish your report to Power BI Service and set a schedule refresh for it to refresh the report automatically, refer: Configure scheduled refresh 

Best Regards,
Community Support Team _ Yingjie Li
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[Anonymous]

hi @gbaia 

You should be able to change data source for your PBIX file. Here are few ways to do it.

1. Go to Data Source Setting in Power Query Editor - Relevant more from changing one database to another database

2. Go to Advance Editor , replace the existing "Table.FromRows(change from old to new)" - this would work in your case when you want to switch it from CSV to Database. Remember to make sure that the columns are same from both the sources, else your query might break.

I would suggest you to try it once before you start with actual development.

Hope this helps!!!

Thanks!!

Kindly accept the solution if you Agree!!