Connect to SQL Server Alias

[ab_99]

Hi,

I have the issue, that my customers sql server and database name is different than mine - which is usually a common case.

I tried to work with parameters for the server and database name so that the customer can change the data source in the online service in the settings of the dataset, but every time, the customer added his information in the parameter, the data source in the pbix file still refered to my server and database so he couldn't connect the datasource online to the gateway.

As an alternative I thought that I could give my server an alias (e. g. server name of customer) and rename my database with the same name the customer uses for his database. 

As I did that and gave the information to Power BI, an error occured that the server wasn't found or is not accessible, even if I am able to connect via the alias on SSMS.

So my question is, is there any possible work-around for this case or a possibility to work with the server alias? 

Thanks in advance!

Best

Anett

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi @ab_99 ,
Based on your description, I looked up documentation for the issue, and for those who can't connect to the database using aliases, you can check if the protocol you're using is enabled in the SQL Server client networking utility. Follow the documents below
Solved: SQL Server Alias name - Microsoft Fabric Community
Problems with alias as Data Source - Microsoft Q&A
www.sqlshack.com
Of course, you can also use dynamic parameters to get the database server, you can refer to the following document

Change the Source of Power BI Datasets Dynamically Using Power Query Parameters - RADACAD

Best regards,
Albert He

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly

[ab_99]

Thank you very much for your reponse!

I actually tried the solution with dynamic parameters again. I used it previously, as mentioned in my original post, but this time I tagged the button in the options saying "always allow parameterization in data source and transformation dialogs".

I uploaded the file again to the customer tenant and he changed the parameters, refreshed the url and then the new data source was set in the data set.