"We couldn't authenticate with the credentials provided." Can't connect when specifying database.

[D_PBI]

Hi
I'm facing an error when connecting Power BI to an Azure SQL Server, using the Microsoft account authentication, specifying the Server name and the Database name in the connection properties. The error received is 'We couldn't authenticate with the credentials provided.'
However, when I specifiy the Server name only in the connection properties, I am able to connect to the server and susequenty see the residing database(s) and table(s) through the Navigator window/pane.
See below for the steps taken:
1) Choose Azure SQL Server as the source.

2) I enter the Azure SQL Server name as the Server value.

3) I choose Microsoft account as the authentication type and then choose the my account from the office pop-up, then click 'Connect'.

4) The database(s) and the table(s) are now available to select via the Navigator drop-down.

However, when I attempt to connect to the database by specifying the Sever name and the database name in the connection properties (shown in the below screenshot), and after selecting Microsoft account and signing in - just as in Step 3 above, I receive the following error.

Why can Power BI access the database(s)/table(s) through the Navigator (when only entering the Azure SQL Server name), but Power BI can't access the database(s)/table(s) when specifying the database name too during the connection process?

Thanks.

[v-zhengdxu-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @D_PBI 

This issue typically arises due to how Power BI handles authentication and permissions when connecting to Azure SQL Server. When you specify only the server name, Power BI uses your Microsoft account credentials to authenticate at the server level, allowing you to browse databases and tables you have access to. However, specifying the database name in the connection properties requires your Microsoft account to have explicit permissions on that specific database.

If possible, try connecting using SQL Server authentication instead of Microsoft account authentication. This requires setting up a SQL Server user with access to the database and using those credentials in Power BI.

Best Regards

Zhengdong Xu
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