How to connect to Synapse from the desktop with SPN

[rgsalido]

Good morning everyone,

I have a question that came up recently. We had a report that queried a Synapse. It was published and working. A few weeks ago, we changed the authentication method to SPN for security reasons. Synapse no longer allows any authentication method other than SPN. My question is, now that I have to modify it locally, how can I do that, since that authentication method does not appear in the Datasource options on the desktop.

Thank you very much.

[v-aatheeque]

Hi @rgsalido 

Have you had a chance to look through the responses shared earlier? If anything is still unclear, we’ll be happy to provide additional support.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi @rgsalido ,

Power BI Desktop does not support Service Principal authentication for Azure Synapse Dedicated SQL Pools, Azure SQL Database, SQL Server and  Any SQL-based connector.

Desktop only supports, Windows, Database Username/Password, Azure AD (User) and  OAuth / MFA (for some connectors).

Service Principal can ONLY be used in the service (Power BI Service) through,

Cloud connections, Enterprise Gateway

and Managed VNet Gateway.

Try below work around.

Your admin can temporarily allow Azure AD user authentication on Synapse SQL.

Then Open Power BI Desktop, Connect to Synapse using Azure AD / OAuth2.

Make your changes and Publish. Power BI Service continues using SPN.

Note: You are NOT changing the production connection used by the Service only Desktop.

If my response as resolved your issue please mark it as solution and give kudos.

[rgsalido]

Thank you very much, with this approach I can continue developing.

[Pragati11]

HI @rgsalido 

Can you please share some screesnhots here?

What synapse source are you connecting to from the screenshot below?

[v-aatheeque]

Hi @rgsalido 

Following up to confirm if the earlier responses addressed your query. If not, please share your questions and we’ll assist further.