Datasource for Power BI desktop using FILEDSN

[jkasavan]

I am looking for an example of using a FILEDSN as a datasouce for Power BI desktop. I defined a User DSN for QuickBooks desktop but the database name is dynamic and once QB desktop modifies the database name, I get an error because the stored database name is not current anymore.

However - QB desktop creates and updates a DSN file with the new database name, and I can see the database name there and edit the User DSN with the new database name and then Power BI can connect again.

So - I want to use that file as the FILEDSN in the ODBC Data Source Administrator. Or somehow indicate to Power BI that it should look at this file DSN to get that parameters necessary to connect. I asked Chat GPT to help:

Open Power BI Desktop and click Get data on the Home tab.
In the Get Data window, select ODBC and click Connect.
In the From ODBC window, click Browse and select your filedsn file.

You can also enter the connection string manually by using the FILEDSN keyword, such as FILEDSN=C:\MyDataSources\MyFile.dsn.

But, in my Power BI desktop I don't have Browse as an option.

So - any screen shots that you can share to give guidance?

Thanks!

[jkasavan]

@Idrissshatila This blog link does not answer the question. This example is using a "User DSN".  I am looking for guidance on how to use a "File DSN" instead.

[Idrissshatila]

Hello @jkasavan ,

check if this blog helps https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Community-Blog/How-to-Connect-to-an-ODBC-Data-Source-From-....

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