Data source credential keep changing from Database type to Windows Authentication after upload

[meghashu]

In my PowerBI report at PowerBI Desktop (Jan 2025), datasource is configured with Credentials of type Database and has Database user name and Password saved. But when upload this report to on-prem PowerBI report server (Jan 2025), Credentials of the report automatically change to Windows Authentication and 'As the user viewing the report'.

Why this change is happening?

Due to this, when trying to run the report, we get the following error:

"We couldn't connect to the Analysis Services server. Make sure you've entered the connection string correctly."

Do we have to manually modify Credentials to Basic Authentication, alongwith User name and Password, every time the report is uploaded from Desktop to Report server?

[v-tsaipranay]

Hi @meghashu ,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Fabric Community. Also thank you @Akash_Varuna  and @Nasif_Azam for your insights.

I wanted to check if you had the opportunity to review the information provided. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. If the response has addressed your query, please accept it as a solution and give a 'Kudos' so other members can easily find it.

Thank you.

[Akash_Varuna]

Hi @meghashu It is because Power BI Report Server defaults to Windows Authentication when a report is uploaded. It doesn't preserve database credentials from Power BI Desktop, as it relies on server-side credential management for security reasons. To resolve this, manually update the data source credentials in the Report Server to Basic Authentication and save the database username and password. Unfortunately, this adjustment must be made every time the report is re-uploaded unless the server's configuration policies are modified.

[Nasif_Azam]

Hey @meghashu ,

This issue occurs due to the default behavior of Power BI Report Server (PBIRS) when uploading reports created in Power BI Desktop optimized for Report Server (e.g., Jan 2025 version). When you upload a .pbix report to Power BI Report Server, the credentials stored in the Desktop version are not preserved. Instead, the Report Server resets the data source credentials to its default. Since the credentials default to Windows Authentication, but your report connects to a source like SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) or a database that expects SQL Authentication.

Yes, unless you automate it. After each report upload, you need to:

1. Go to the Power BI Report Server Web Portal.

2. Open the uploaded report's data source settings.

3. Change:

   • Authentication Type: To Basic

   • Set Username & Password manually

4. Click Apply.

For Detailed Inforamtion:

Configure data sources in Power BI Report Server

Manage data sources for paginated and Power BI reports

Power BI Report Server REST API

Automate Power BI Report Deployment to Report Server

PowerShell scripts for PBIRS

If you found this solution helpful, please consider accepting it and giving it a kudos (Like) it’s greatly appreciated and helps others find the solution more easily.

Best Regards,
Nasif Azam