SharePoint Authentication Error When Remapping Data Source Paths

[snig2018narayan]

I'm working on fixing a Power BI dashboard that has broken data connections due to a SharePoint folder name change.

I can access the specific SharePoint folder through my browser using my personal email which has been granted access, and I can download the PBIX file. However, when I try to update the data source paths in Power BI Desktop to fix the broken connections, I get an authentication error

 I've tried: - Using Windows authentication - Organizational account sign-in - Editing in Power Query Advanced Editor - Applying credentials at different folder levels

The current path in the queries points to an old SharePoint site path, but needs to be updated to the new path. Is there any way to update these data source paths with my limited SharePoint folder access, or is proper tenant-level access absolutely required for this task? Are there any workarounds that don't require requesting additional permissions?

[v-veshwara-msft]

Hi @snig2018narayan ,

Following up to see if your query has been resolved. If any of the responses helped, please consider marking the relevant reply as the 'Accepted Solution' to assist others with similar questions.

If you're still facing issues, feel free to reach out.

Thank you.

[v-veshwara-msft]

Hi @snig2018narayan ,

Just checking in to see if you query is resolved and if any responses were helpful. If so, kindly consider marking the helpful reply as 'Accepted Solution' to help others with similar queries. 

Otherwise, feel free to reach out for further assistance.

Thank you.

[v-veshwara-msft]

Hi @snig2018narayan ,

Thank you for engaging with the Microsoft Fabric Community.

Just following up to check if your query has been resolved and whether the responses from @rajendraongole1  and @rohit1991  were helpful. If so, please consider marking the helpful replies as Accepted Solutions to assist others with similar queries. If you need further assistance, please reach out.
Thank you.

[rohit1991 · Accepted solution]

Hi @snig2018narayan ,

When updating data source paths in Power BI Desktop after a SharePoint folder name change, authentication errors often occur due to permission mismatches or how credentials are scoped. Even though you can access the folder via your browser using your personal email, Power BI requires proper OAuth authentication tied to the organizational tenant to access SharePoint data sources.

Simply put, browser access doesn’t always translate to Power BI access, especially if the email used is from another tenant or lacks full organizational-level permissions. While editing the query in Power Query or applying credentials at different folder levels may help in some cases, Power BI still enforces strict tenant and authentication validation.

Unfortunately, this means that tenant-level access is typically required to remap and refresh SharePoint-based data sources successfully. A potential workaround might involve using a shared OneDrive or external sharing link with direct file access, but that depends on your organization's policies. In most cases, the cleanest solution is to request appropriate access or collaboration setup from the SharePoint admin to ensure Power BI can authenticate and connect properly.

[rajendraongole1]

Hi @snig2018narayan  - Yes! You can often work around this issue without needing tenant-level access. 

can you please refer the below suggested links and solved threads:

SharePoint rename folder action

How to change a Power BI file source from local computer to SharePoint

https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/Change-Data-Source-from-Local-Desktop-to-Sharepoint-Folder-...

How to Change Source FOLDER from Local to SharePoint in Power BI

Hope this helps.