Need to connect to Salesforce : even though API access has been disabled

Hi KRISH80 I know this reply is very late. As a workaround, maybe you can try to test your connection with a 3rd party connector. I've tried windsor.ai, supermetrics and funnel.io. I stayed with windsor because it is much cheaper so just to let you know other options. In case you wonder, to make the connection first search for the Salesforce connector in the data sources list:

After that, just grant access to your Salesforce account using your credentials, then on preview and destination page you will see a preview of your Salesforce fields:

 There just select the fields you need. It is also compatible with custom fields and custom objects, so you'll be able to export them through windsor.  Finally, just select PBI as your data destination and finally just copy and paste the url on PBI --> Get Data --> Web --> Paste the url. 

Hi KRISH80,

Honest heads-up before considering any third-party connector (including the one suggested above, or ours): every Power BI ↔ Salesforce connector relies on Salesforce REST API access - native, AppExchange apps, external SaaS, all of them. If API access has been disabled at your user or org level, no connector can bypass that - it's an architectural limit, not a Power BI limitation.

The actual fix is on the Salesforce side - your SF admin needs to either:

1. Re-enable API Enabled permission on your user profile (Setup → Profiles → [your profile] → System Permissions → API Enabled)
2. Add the API Access add-on ($25/user/month) if you're on Professional Edition (API isn't included by default there)
3. Upgrade to Enterprise Edition (API access is included)

Once API access is restored, Power BI Connector for Salesforce on AppExchange is one alternative to the native connector - installed inside your Salesforce org, with admin-controlled OAuth policies:

Why it might fit (once API access is enabled):

• Auth managed on the Salesforce side via your own Connected App
• No 2,000-row limit on reports
• Supports custom fields, custom objects, and joined reports
• 30-day free trial
• Setup docs: https://metricasoftware.com/docs/salesforce/
• Responsive support if you get stuck: https://metricasoftware.com/docs/salesforce/contact-support/

Happy to set up a quick demo if it'd help. Just reach out via the support link.

Cheers,

Metrica Team.

Hi KRISH80 

Both native options in Power BI—whether you select Salesforce Reports or Salesforce Objects—internally rely on making backend REST/SOAP API calls to extract data, meaning that if your account has had its API access fully revoked by your system administrator, the built-in Power BI Salesforce connectors will completely stop working and throw a credential or permissions error. Since you can no longer pull data directly from the cloud using Power BI’s native pipeline engine, your best alternative is to pivot to a semi-automated or staging architecture that handles the extraction directly from inside the Salesforce user interface where your manual access is still fully permitted.

The most straightforward, zero-cost workaround is to execute your standard operational workflows inside the Salesforce web browser, export the desired reports manually as CSV or Excel files, save them into a centralized storage folder like a company SharePoint document library or a secure OneDrive directory, and modify your Power BI report’s Get Data source step to point directly to that folder container; this allows you to refresh your report data seamlessly from the file storage layer without ever touching the restricted Salesforce API. If manual exporting is too time-consuming for your daily reporting, your Salesforce administrator can configure a native Salesforce Report Export Schedule to automatically email the raw data files directly to your inbox on a set timeline, or you can use a basic browser automation extension to pull the data down to your local machine automatically. Alternatively, if your company already maintains a centralized IT infrastructure, you should check if your Salesforce data is being continuously mirrored or backed up into an on-premises SQL Server data warehouse or an enterprise data lake; if a central data replica exists, you can entirely bypass Salesforce and write standard, highly optimized database queries directly against the staging SQL tables, which is considered an industry best practice for handling complex business intelligence metrics whenever direct CRM endpoint access is disabled.