Want to use key pair authentication access from Power BI to Snowflake.

[satoshi_shinoda]

With a recent update, Azure Data Factory now supports key pair authentication to Snowflake. I would like to unify the authentication method, so I would like Power BI and the on-premises data gateway to support key pair authentication as well.

[jeromelam]

This feature was on the roadmap previously and removed. Not sure why, but I agree that it appears communication between Snowflake and Microsoft on this topic hasn't been optimal.

[msaunier]

Here is Microsoft’s response to my ticket:

I understand your concern, especially since your reports depend on this connection and refresh failing would be a major issue. In the latest release of Power BI Desktop, key-pair authentication for Snowflake has been included, so you can use it and refresh your reports in Power BI Desktop. However, key-pair authentication is not yet available in Power BI Service.

I apologize for any inconvenience. As I am from the Power BI break-fix team, I do not have information on when this feature will be released in Power BI Service. Since it was added to Power BI Desktop in the last release, it is likely that key-pair authentication will also be implemented in Power BI Service in an upcoming release.

I do not have exact details on whether the release will happen before or after November. However, since this change will impact many users, Microsoft will likely release the update as soon as possible.

[jeromelam]

Thanks for the update @msaunier! I suppose we can only cross our fingers that it will happen sooner than later.

[uadrian92]

Thanks @msauiner! I'm hopeful it will be ready at least a week before the end of October, Snowflake is so widely used that I don't think it can be ignored.

[M13]

Hi, does anybody have any new info about Snowflake key pair authentication in Power BI Service? Any info is appreciated. Thank you!

[kelly646466]

I have tested this, this newest version of Power BI has key pair authentication now for the Snowflake connector. I tested and was able to get this to work. The newest version is on the Microsoft website.

[jeromelam]

The newest version of Power BI Desktop has it, but not Power BI Service. I checked just now and it still isn't available as an authentication method for Service.

[nathan_g]

Hi folks, please note that this month (Oct 2025) Snowflake revised the timeline for mandatory MFA rollout and the deprecation of username/password logins. For users with type "Legacy Service" they will continue to be able to use username/password authentication until "Milestone 3" of the rollout, which begins in August 2026. Note it will not be possible to create new "Legacy Service" users after Milestone 2 in May 2026. Snowflake official timeline: https://docs.snowflake.com/en/user-guide/security-mfa-rollout

[msaunier]

I'm casting a message in a bottle. I changed the authentication policies yesterday to make the PAT work for Power BI Service — that works very well now. However, we can no longer access our Snowflake accounts. I can't contact support through our accounts, and I can't create an account on the community forum — either the confirmation email doesn't arrive, or when I use my personal email I get an error message. Could someone at Snowflake please contact me? Thank you.

[Starriver]

Hi all. I seems that now they finally implemented Key Pair in Power BI Service. Beside "Basic" and "OAuth 2.0" there is now a third option to choose from: "Key Pair". This is the first time I saw this today. Do you see this as well?