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D_PBI's avatar
D_PBI
Post Partisan
4 years ago

The recommended approach to extract Azure SQL Server data using Power BI?

Hi all,

Just a quick question.
I'm looking to extract data from an Azure SQL Server source using Power BI. My intended approach would be to simply use the 'Azure SQL database' connection, entering the Server's URL and Name in the process. However, I've come across the below Microsoft article (from an Azure DevOps webpage) suggesting the use of an OData REST API is the recommended approach - it states this in the first sentence.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/powerbi/odataquery-connect?view=azure-devops
Is this true?  Have I understood this article correcty?  It seems a lot of work just to extract data from an Azure SQL Server compared to using the standard 'Azure SQL database' connection.
Thanks.

General Comment
Need Help

3 Replies

  • D_PBI's avatar
    D_PBI
    Post Partisan
    4 years ago

    Bump - in my eagerness to post I didn't actually apply the link - it's there now.

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    Not applicable
    4 years ago

    Hi D_PBI ,

     

    I think your requirement is to extract data in Power BI, the article you provided is about how to connect data.

    You can extract data from a Power BI visual, please kindly refer to

    Export data from a Power BI visualization - Power BI | Microsoft Docs

     

    Best Regards,

    Stephen Tao

     

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

  • D_PBI's avatar
    D_PBI
    Post Partisan
    4 years ago

    Anonymous - there is a misunderstanding here. My opening post states that I am seeking to understand the recommended approach to connecting to (and extracting from) an Azure SQL database - hence the link is on the topic.
    https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/powerbi/odataquery-connect?view=azure-devops

    Just to be clear, I am attempting to understand the recommended approach on connecting to an Azure SQL database using Power BI. Once connected, I will simply extract (import) into Power BI the chosen contents of the Azure SQL database.
    I believe the recommended approach would be to simply use the 'Azure SQL database' connection that is available within Power Query, however the linked article is suggesting to use OData REST API as the recommended approach - which I feel is a convoluted apporach (something completely unecessary).
    Please can someone confirm the recommend/optimal approach?  I don't think it is as the article suggests and I would like someone to correct me if I am wrong.
    Thanks.