Cloud-based gateway

[rachelmatzel]

How would you connect a gateway to a cloud-based location like sharepoint. I am trying to refresh a pdf file from sharepoint and getting the error that I need a gatway. 

Any solutions? please include screenshots if possible!

[Hariharan_R]

Hi,

  You dont need if you are refering O365 sharepoint online as it is a cloud. You can refresh your dataset. Share your error message for more clarity.

Refer the below link for reference,

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/refresh-desktop-file-onedrive

Thanks

Hari

[rachelmatzel]

Hi Hari, 

I am trying to refresh the dataset that has a pdf located within sharepoint. This is the error message I am getting when trying to do the refresh. 

However, when I go to the settings of the dataset it tells me I don't need a gateway because all of the data is cloud-based. Not sure what to do here. 

[Hariharan_R]

Hi

 The error message is clear. You are using PDF connector which is from Sharepoint. Eventhough it is from Sharepoint you need to use data gateway to connect PDF files which is also mentioned in Microsoft Doc - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/desktop-connect-pdf

Configure a data gateway if not already or reach to your Power BI Admin team and ask them to configure the PDF data source in gateway and get access to that data source. You need to map it with that data gateway then your refresh will work.

Thanks

Hari

[rachelmatzel]

I am not using a PDF connector. If you look at the link you provided it is an overview of how to connect to a PDF file using "Get data" on the Home ribbon. My only data source connection is a URL to a SharePoint folder that houses excel and PDFs.

If you look at the error message it states:

"You don't need a gateway for this dataset, because all of its data sources are in the cloud, but you can use a gateway for enhanced control over how you connect."

Not sure how this is clear at all

Instead of providing links, please clearly explain how you establish a gateway (option is grayed out) to a URL when MSFT is saying it is not needed since all data sources are in the cloud.

[collinq · Accepted solution]

Hi @rachelmatzel ,

The responses by @Hariharan_R  are correct and the link that was sent is the correct link.  PDF connector does not work in Premium capacity unless a gateway is created.  

While you are connecting to a SharePoint List Online (which does not need a gateway) you are getting a PDF file from that List.  To read that PDF, you have to have the connector set in a gateway. 

In this case, the point is not WHERE you getting it from, it is WHAT you are getting.

If you want to see the data from a PDF file, and you are in Premium, you have to set up a connector.  Whether that file is sitting in OneDrive, SharePoint or otherwise, you will need to get the gateway setup.

Let us know if that resolves this for you!

[rachelmatzel]

Hi @collinq, 

Thank you! My follow up question would then be are there any resources that show how to set this gateway up considering it is not "on-prem" ? The only resources I can find are for gateways from local desktop or on premise database server. 

I appreciate the help!

Rachel 

[collinq]

Hi @rachelmatzel ,

This might be the link you saw:  Power BI Gateway | Microsoft Power BI   But, you use the standard mode and install it on a server or other "managed device" that stays "on" all the time so that the scheduled refresh will work.