How to authenticate and connect to power bi desktop to a share point site using service principal.

[Nagak03]

How to authenticate and connect to power bi desktop to a share point site,list,or folder using Azure service principal.

[HarishKM]

@Nagak03 Hey,

To authenticate and connect Power BI Desktop to a SharePoint site, list, or folder using an Azure service principal, follow these steps:

Steps to Connect Power BI to SharePoint with Azure Service Principal

1. Create Azure Service Principal:

   • Navigate to Azure AD and create an App Registration.
   • Note the App ID and Tenant ID.
   • Generate a secret key (Client Secret) and store it securely.

2. Set Permissions:

   • Assign SharePoint permissions to the service principal (app registration):
     • Access the Azure AD application and assign the required SharePoint API permissions.
     • Use SharePoint App-Only permissions if necessary.

3. Configure SharePoint Access:

   • In SharePoint, configure app-only access for the principal:
   • Use the SharePoint Online Management Shell to set necessary access levels for your service principal.

4. Access in Power BI Desktop:

   • Open Power BI Desktop and use the Web connector.
   • Enter the SharePoint site URL (e.g., https://yourdomain.sharepoint.com/sites/yoursite/_api/web/GetList}).
   • When prompted for authentication, choose OAuth2 or input your Client ID and Secret manually.

5. Load Data:

   • Once authenticated, Power BI will connect to the chosen SharePoint list or folder, allowing you to select and load data.

Benefits: I can thing about ---

• Security: Securely connect to SharePoint using token-based access.
• Automation: Facilitates automated access in scenarios like scheduled refreshes via Power BI Service.

Ensure all access permissions are reviewed and validated for security compliance within your organization.

Thanks

Harish KM

If these steps help resolve your issue, your acknowledgment would be greatly appreciated.

[v-dineshya]

Hi @Nagak03 ,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community Forum.

HI @rajendraongole1 , Thank you for your prompt response.

Hi @Nagak03 , In addition to @rajendraongole1  response, i am adding microsoft official document.

Please refer below . 

Embed Power BI content in an embedded analytics application with service principal and an applicatio...

I hope this information helps. Please do let us know if you have any further queries.

Regards,

Dinesh

[v-dineshya]

Hi @Nagak03 ,

We haven’t heard from you on the last response and was just checking back to see if you have a resolution yet. And, if you have any further query do let us know.

Regards,

Dinesh

[v-dineshya]

Hi @Nagak03 ,

We haven’t heard from you on the last response and was just checking back to see if you have a resolution yet. And, if you have any further query do let us know.

Regards,

Dinesh

[v-dineshya]

Hi @Nagak03 ,

We haven’t heard from you on the last response and was just checking back to see if you have a resolution yet. And, if you have any further query do let us know.

Regards,

Dinesh

[rajendraongole1 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Nagak03  -Power BI Desktop does not natively support Service Principal authentication directly for SharePoint sources

you try below approach to connect:

Create a Dataflow>> Choose SharePoint Online List → Sign in using Service Principal (supported in service).

Set refresh schedule.

In Power BI Desktop - use Get Data - Power BI Dataflows to connect.

Hope this helps.