Forum Discussion

raldred's avatar
raldred
New Member
10 years ago

Connecting to Xero data from Desktop application?

Whilst I know of the Xero Content Pack, available through the web service - I cannot find a way to connect to Xero data from the PowerBI desktop application.   Does anyone have any ideas on how to ...
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jllau84's avatar
jllau84
Regular Visitor
8 years ago

Hi,
I am new and now evaluating the xero and powerBI as my selection for my new Accounting and Reporting System.
I wondering and not saw XERO in "get data" selection for powerBI Desktop, thats meant powerBI Desktop is not able to connect to XERO directly? Or we need to have powerBI Pro to do that?

 

karaoan's avatar
karaoan
Icon for Kudo Kingpin rankKudo Kingpin
8 years ago

jllau84 There is no data source in Power BI for Xero. There is only an app which only supports one entity and it can't be edited in Power Desktop. For consolidations and to use all the features in the Desktop you will need a solution like https://www.acterys.com.

  • jllau84's avatar
    jllau84
    Regular Visitor
    8 years ago

    hi karaoan,  i not understand with "There is only an app which only supports one entity and it can't be edited in Power Desktop." That's mean will be only some "build-in report" for xero that is not editable?

    clearjelly is free apps or need to pay?

     

    How about powerBI Pro and Premium? can connect to XERO directly?

     

     

    • karaoan's avatar
      karaoan
      Icon for Kudo Kingpin rankKudo Kingpin
      8 years ago

      hi jllau84 the Xero app only works from the Power BI Service and can't be edited in Power BI Desktop. You have limited editing options on the Power BI service but for example can't add all the other sources to the report that you normally have in the Desktop. Acterys is a paid service at a reasonably price of $49 per entity (with quantity discounts for advisors and entities >10). The app works with either Power BI Pro or Premium in the same way as described above.  

       

      Martin

       

      Planning With Power BI -> https://www.acterys.com

      • ElizabethTachji's avatar
        ElizabethTachji
        Icon for Helper III rankHelper III
        8 years ago

        Hey Martin,

         

        I disagree with you.  I am consulting to few business's where I have created Visual dashboards linking Xero data directly with Power BI Desktop.  Reports that take days to prepare, I have automated, reducing business cost.

         

        The three issues you have implied are not  relevant for SME's.  I would agree for corporations but not small business such as business's that use Xero.   I know this because I have not encountered the 3 issues you have implied.

         

        I have created bespoke dashboards in Power BI desktop without having any issues with the allowed API's calls per day limitations.  In addition consolidation of the few organisations in power BI desktop is doable using the tools provided in the Power BI Desktop such as DAX and calculated measures.  Power BI Desktop is built to gather data from many different sources, mash up the data using the Power BI desktop tools to create visual business insights.  The Desktop product is amazing once you understand the basics.

         

        There is no need to complicate the process by introducing another loop such as Clear Jelly, especially for SME's.  In addition what you are sugggesting will increase the cost to develop the dashboards and is taking a step backwards in terms of technology advancement.  

         

        Elizabeth Tachjian CPA B.BUS

        Business Intelligence Developer

        Analytics Realtime

        [email protected]