Cross Data source switching

[Yuneshwaran]

Can we use the same approach with parameters to switch Database or server names not only between same type of sources like From(SQL Server) TO(SQL Server) but like for switching like Snowflake to SQL Server or some other RDBMS if we know both schemas and stuff like column_name and data types are exactly same?

[Yuneshwaran]

Thanks you for this explanation🙏.

[Mauro89 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Yuneshwaran 

Unfortunately, no - you cannot use parameters to switch between different data source types (like Snowflake to SQL Server) in Power BI Desktop or Service.

Why it doesn't work:

• Each connector (Snowflake, SQL Server, Oracle, etc.) uses different underlying protocols and authentication methods
• Power BI locks the data source type when you create the connection
• Parameters only work for connection strings within the same connector type

What DOES work with parameters:

• Switching servers/databases within the same source type: SQL Server to SQL Server, Snowflake instance to Snowflake instance
• Example: Parameter for server name in SQL Server connections

Workarounds for cross-platform scenarios:

1. Create separate queries/reports for each platform and use deployment pipelines to manage them

2. Use an intermediary layer: Load data from both sources into a data warehouse or lakehouse, then connect Power BI to that single source

3. Dataflows: Create separate dataflows for each source type, then connect your report to dataflows (abstracts the source)

4. Fabric shortcuts: If using Microsoft Fabric, create shortcuts to both sources in OneLake

Bottom line: Parameters can't bridge different connector types - the schema matching doesn't matter if the connection protocols are different.

Best regards!

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