Forum Discussion

Anonymous's avatar
Anonymous
Not applicable
6 years ago

Connectivity: connecting to Excel file: Sharepoint folder vs Web

Hi,    I am working on a dsahboard that uses an Excel file stored on sharepoint as a database, and I was wondering about any experiences that would lead you to favor using the Sharepoint Folder con...
General Comment
Anonymous's avatar
Anonymous
Not applicable
6 years ago

Hi Gil  (DataChant ),

 

Not quite, 

 

I am using 2 excel files where 

the first has a table filles with KPI's as well as 3 tables with suppproting data (used for calculations that do not change) and

the second one which has a number of locations and extra data to them, which is linked via a relationship in power bi, so i'm not using the combin function of the folder connector.

The quesiton is really just if the connectors have any benefit in terms of connecting to the file itself.

The only difference i have found so far is that the web connector could have the benefit that the file could be moved to another sharpoint site without havig to reconstruct the dashboard, but that does not seem likely at this point...

 

Best,

Julius

DataChant's avatar
DataChant
Most Valuable Professional
6 years ago

Hi Anonymous,

In that case, I would use the Web connector and create a parameter for the URL hostname and relative path and pass them to the Web.Contents function.

Web.Contents(
    hostname, [
        RelativePath = path & "/Exce1.xlsx"
    ]
)

Performance-wise you get a slightly better refresh time using Web.Contents.