Ask the user for data from an R script in Power Query

[miguelcasi]

Good morning. I have the following R code that I run for "Get Data" in Power Query (before working with Power BI Desktop):

...

username <- readline(prompt = "username = ") ; password <- readline(prompt = "password = ")

....

The part shown is where Power Query gives me an error, as it does not let me request data from the user through the "readline" function. Therefore, my question would be whether it is possible to request data from the user when running an R script in Power Query (either through that function or any other). Thanks a lot.

[mahoneypat · Accepted solution]

Yes.  You would need to create two text parameters in the query editor, and then concatenate them into your R script.  If you then save the pbix as a pbit (template file) and send that to your users, they would get prompted to enter username and password when they open it.  They would want to be careful not to share the pbix files they generate as it would contain their credentials.

Regards,

Pat

[miguelcasi]

Wow! That's great. Thanks a lot. I have tried this and works correctly. And, if it's possible, I would like to ask you another aspect. Is there any possibility to prevent the user from saving their credentials (parameters) in the template? I need this to avoid what you say, the fact that the client can share the .pbix with its API keys.