Error: The SELECT permission was denied on the object 'TABLES'

[Anonymous]

We are getting started setting up Power BI as a self-service model for some of our power users.  Our default security model for Power Users is to limit their access to the database.  Currently, power users only have access to pre-defined views, no tables.  When a power user attempts to create a live connection to the SQL database, he or she receives the following error:

The SELECT permission was denied on the object 'TABLES', database 'mssqlsystemresource', schema 'INFORMATION_SCHEMA'. 

Following this error the power users are unable to browse any objects on the database (including views).

Are we able to get around this error with having users write custom SQL in the advanced tab or granting them select permssions on the table object? 

[v-sihou-msft · Accepted solution]

@Anonymous

No, it's not possible. You have to let database admin grant those users permission on source SQL Database side. 

Reference:
GRANT Object Permissions (Transact-SQL)

Regards,

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the quick reply @v-sihou-msft. Not the answer I wanted to hear, but at least I now know it definitively. I will work with our DBAs regarding permissions.  Our challenge is that this change to security on our data warehouse will impact other applications across our organzations negatively.