Forum Discussion
Issues connecting to sharepoint credentials error
I have my Power BI Desktop file connected to several text files offline (in folders), but when I try to change the source to pull them off a SharePoint site, I get the error: "We couldn't authenticate with the credentials provided. Please try again."
Note this error does not appear when I try to create a new connection to file on a Sharepoint folder, only when I try to change the source for an existing connection to SharePoint.
I found the solution myself, and it is not very intuitive. There is no "change data source type" option, unfortunately, so this is what you have to do:
Step 1: import data source (again) from SharePoint as a SharePoint folder.
Step 2: go to Advanced Editor and copy data source code.
Step 3: go to your original table that points to the locally stored data source and replace the data source code with the new code.
Voila! It works.
15 Replies
I found a solution to this:
- Go to File in the top left corner
- Options and settings
- Options
- Under the Global tab, go to Security
- Scroll down and enable "Use my default web browser"
Then try again to connect to your Sharepoint site and it should open a tab in your default browser after which you should be able to sign in.
I hope this helped someone!
So sad my dudes...The right answer has yet to be posted. No worries I am here. The trick is to stop using power bi. But if your manager forces you to continue, the second-best option is to go to manage credentials, remove credentials related to sharepoint, and then reconnect to sharepoint as you normally would if power bi didnt returned useless error messages.
This is not the solution. I have the same problem and it is not possible to connect to Share Point again buddy. Please somebody solve this, many analyses have stopped working as we try to find what is wrong?!
dniedrauer but if its offline, how can it authenticate or am i being daft?
what do you mean by offline?
in Power BI, you can choose the source of your data, and many of those options are offline files (files stored locally).
I found the solution myself, and it is not very intuitive. There is no "change data source type" option, unfortunately, so this is what you have to do:
Step 1: import data source (again) from SharePoint as a SharePoint folder.
Step 2: go to Advanced Editor and copy data source code.
Step 3: go to your original table that points to the locally stored data source and replace the data source code with the new code.
Voila! It works.
I had the same issue. Can't even believe I found a forum post that solves exactly my problem.
Thanks!
I would appreciate if you somebody could help me
I have PBI desktop which I want to connect to my Sharepoint 2013 On Prem Server's List. I am the administrator , but unable to connect to that list. It gives authorization error.
Also I can connect to Sharepoint On Prem list using SSRS report builder etc. all works well, why PBI desktop unable to connect.
Please advise.
I had the same problem! Finally got around to updating the desktop app and it solved my problem! Had to do a re download from the microsoft page but it works much better now. Hopefully this solves your issue as well!
I have an odd issue related to this topic. I can connect to a SharePoint list and refreshes with not problems. But, it's when I start applying steps and transforming data in Power Query is when I run into this circle of nonesense; validating credentials and then I get the ever popular "Couldn't authenticate the credentials provided." I've checked the SharePoint setting and there is nothing that sould be causing this problem.
I have the same problem since 2. June 2025.
I have this problem again since 1. July 2025.
