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analyst123
Frequent Visitor

JSON into power BI

Hello,

I have a software that I use but they havent given us access to the database. Another ex-employee, created a JSON file for a few tables in that software and uploaded it to power BI. Now using the JSON file he was able to get real time data (that refreshes every 30 minutes) into Power BI. Does anyone know the steps to do the same?

Is it possible to import a JSON file of a software that we do not have database access to?

Can you recommend places where we can learn JSON and how to create one?

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION
v-kpoloju-msft
Community Support
Community Support

Hi @analyst123,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft fabric community forum. Thank you @Greg_Deckler, for your input on this issue.

 

After thoroughly reviewing the details you provided, I have identified few workarounds that may help resolve the issue. Please follow these steps:


Yes, it is possible to import a JSON file from software that you do not have database access to into Power BI. You can upload the JSON file directly from your local computer into the Lakehouse explorer in Microsoft Fabric.
Options to get data into the Lakehouse - Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft Learn


Open Power BI Desktop, go to Home, and select Get Data → JSON. Choose the JSON file and transform it in Power Query. Use Record and List expand options to navigate nested data. Rename columns, format data, and create relationships if needed. Click Close & Apply to load the data into Power BI.

 

Yes, you can create a JSON file using Notepad (Windows), VSCode, or Notepad++. Type your sample JSON data, then use an online validator to ensure it is correctly formatted. Save the file with the .json extension, for example: data.json, and select UTF-8 encoding for better compatibility.

Additionally, consider using alternative methods to resolve your issue by following these approaches:

  • Excel: Use Power Query to load and transform JSON.
  • Python: Use pandas.read_json() to process the file and export it as CSV or directly load into Power BI.

Kindly refer the below following link for better understanding:

Work with JSON data in SQL Server - SQL Server | Microsoft Learn
Real-time streaming in Power BI - Power BI | Microsoft Learn


If this post helps, then please give us ‘Kudos’ and consider Accept it as a solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

 

Thank you.

View solution in original post

2 REPLIES 2
v-kpoloju-msft
Community Support
Community Support

Hi @analyst123,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft fabric community forum. Thank you @Greg_Deckler, for your input on this issue.

 

After thoroughly reviewing the details you provided, I have identified few workarounds that may help resolve the issue. Please follow these steps:


Yes, it is possible to import a JSON file from software that you do not have database access to into Power BI. You can upload the JSON file directly from your local computer into the Lakehouse explorer in Microsoft Fabric.
Options to get data into the Lakehouse - Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft Learn


Open Power BI Desktop, go to Home, and select Get Data → JSON. Choose the JSON file and transform it in Power Query. Use Record and List expand options to navigate nested data. Rename columns, format data, and create relationships if needed. Click Close & Apply to load the data into Power BI.

 

Yes, you can create a JSON file using Notepad (Windows), VSCode, or Notepad++. Type your sample JSON data, then use an online validator to ensure it is correctly formatted. Save the file with the .json extension, for example: data.json, and select UTF-8 encoding for better compatibility.

Additionally, consider using alternative methods to resolve your issue by following these approaches:

  • Excel: Use Power Query to load and transform JSON.
  • Python: Use pandas.read_json() to process the file and export it as CSV or directly load into Power BI.

Kindly refer the below following link for better understanding:

Work with JSON data in SQL Server - SQL Server | Microsoft Learn
Real-time streaming in Power BI - Power BI | Microsoft Learn


If this post helps, then please give us ‘Kudos’ and consider Accept it as a solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

 

Thank you.

Greg_Deckler
Super User
Super User

@analyst123 JSON Introduction



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