Continuous Object reference not set error using Oracle database connection in Power Query

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I've been working from some days with an Oracle database connection in Power Query.

I've PBI desktop to 64-bit and I've installed the Oracle client/ODAC software and the Oracle XE database on my machine.

Each day, when I start my machine and I open my pbi model I can see an error message about an object reference not set error for the Oracle db connection. To solve it, I need to uninstall and reinstall the pbi desktop as a workaround: it is a strange situation.

Is it possible to solve this issue definetively? Does it depend to PBI desktop or Oracle? A part of this error, I can use the Oracle connection rightly. Thanks

[lbendlin]

Good. So I would agree that the issue is with Power BI Desktop.  Try to clear its caches. Try using an older version maybe?

[Anonymous]

Cleaning the cache (from the global options) hasn't solved the issue.

[lbendlin]

tnc is "test network connection" , a powershell command. It allows your to confirm that the other end of the connection is working.

For example

tnc oracle.database.server.com -p 1521

When calling SQLplus, specify Username@TNSentry .  That connects you into the desired database and then you can run SQL scripts against that database.

[Anonymous]

Ok, I've used SQLPlus successfully but I've the same "object reference not set" error for Power Query (after turning on my machine, turned off yesterday).

[lbendlin]

In Power BI you can only test it by connecting via the TNS entry.  You can always use sqlplus or tnc on your PC to make sure the desktop can talk to the database.  I am not aware of other ways of troubleshooting.  If you have a Power BI Pro license you can open a Pro ticket with Microsoft support.

[Anonymous]

Hi, I don't know "tnc" (what is it?) and sqlplus requires only a username and the related password. I've used the gui tool "SQL Developer".

How could I use SQL Plus at better?

[lbendlin]

Do you use TNSNAMES.ORA or a tns-less connection string?

[Anonymous]

Hi, I'm using a TNSNAMES.ORA file.

Moreover, I can connect to the Oracle XE database by SQL Developer, using TNSNAMES.ORA file.

Does it exist a tool or a manner in order to try an Oracle connection for using it for Power BI?

I'm referring to a tool (or a manner) used from Power BI developers not to an Oracle tool.

Thanks