Is it compulsory to install VSTS Analytics Extension to get data in Power BI?

[Dhruvin]

I want to prepare a report consuming data using VSTS.

I want to set dynamic parameter for URL,Project Name and Authentication method.

I want to export this report and import it to Power BI Online service.

Also, I want to release it as an Organizational content pack.

If I want to achieve this in a dynamic manner, the end user need to install VSTS Analytics Service extension before using this content pack?

[arsaveli]

Hi!

It depends on the type of data you are trying to consume from VSTS. VSTS Analytics exposes Work Item Data in the form of odata API - if that's what you want to consume, you need to install it.

In addition, VSTS Analytics comes with Analytics Views, which make it easy for end users to construct these odata queries - not sure you need that feature, as you are also able to execute raw odata queries against VSTS Analytics.

PowerBI also comes with updated VSTS connector, which contains helpful functions and Analytics Views navigator which builds a powerbi query using these Analytics Views. Again, you can use raw functions that VSTS connector provides, see https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/vsts/report/powerbi/data-connector-functions

Regarding dynamic authentication - not sure how you'll be doing this, as VSTS only supports AAD/LiveID and PAT authentication.

Feed free to reach out to vsts development community at https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com