Cross Data source switching

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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