Connecting data source to a SQL Server (VM)

[Anonymous]

Hello, currently doing manual extract from a Citrix virtual machine (where our MS SQL Server is installed) then get the extracted excel and upload to powerBI. Is there a chance that I can connect PowerBI dataflow directly to SQL Server that was installed in the virtual machine? If possible how? Thanks in advance!

[v-yueyunzh-msft]

Hi , @Anonymous 

Hello, according to your description, your local Sql Server server is housed in a virtual machine, right?
For the cloud to connect to the virtual machine, the local SQL Server needs to download the gateway for data connection and delivery. In your screenshot you can see that your data gateway is None.
For data gateways, you can refer to:

Using an on-premises data gateway in Power Platform dataflows - Power Query | Microsoft Learn

Thank you for your time and sharing, and thank you for your support and understanding of PowerBI! 

Best Regards,

Aniya Zhang

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[Anonymous]

I see, my organization doesnt allowed me to install this. Is there no other options? Thanks!

[v-yueyunzh-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi , @Anonymous 

According to my understanding of Power BI, the gateway is a bridge to help the local data source and Power BI cloud data exchange (such as data refresh, data query loading), if you are using a local SQL Server data source, no matter where the data source base is, it is inevitable to use the gateway, this is the official document on the introduction and explanation of the gateway architecture, you can view the following if you are convenient:

On-premises data gateway - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

Thank you for your time and sharing, and thank you for your support and understanding of PowerBI! 

Best Regards,

Aniya Zhang

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly

[Anonymous]

I see so even local i need to use Data Gateway, alright i guess ill reach out to my colleagues and help me install this Data Gateway for Power BI. Thanks a lot!