Not able to save credentials - excel source file in OneDrive

[Alex0106]

Hi all

I am trying to set up a PowerBi report to automatically refresh. I think I have worked out that it is not working because of credentials. However, when I try to save the credentials, literally nothing happens. I click on 'save' and it looks like the system registers the click but then nothing happens and when I click 'close' it asks me if I want to discard changes. 

Pic below. Any ideas?

(I am extremely new to PBI so will need things explained very simply please).

[v-sshirivolu]

Hi @Alex0106 ,
Thanks for reaching out to the Microsoft fabric community forum.

Step 1: Use the Web Connector with Direct Download Link to Excel File

The Excel connector often restricts auth options. The Web connector supports OAuth2 and is more flexible with OneDrive/SharePoint Online files.

How to do this:

1. Go to your Excel file in OneDrive.
2. Get the direct download link:
   • Open the file in OneDrive (in browser).
   • Click Share  - Copy Link (make sure link allows access).
   • Modify the link to force direct download if needed by replacing ?e=... with ?download=1 or use the OneDrive "Embed" option to extract a direct download URL.

Example- 
https://onedrive.live.com/download?resid=FILEID&authkey=AUTHKEY
 
   • Open Power BI Desktop.
   • Choose Get Data > Web.
   • Paste the direct download URL obtained in step 2.
   • When prompted for authentication in Power BI Desktop, select OAuth2 and sign in with your organizational account.
   • Load your data and create your report.
   • Publish the report to Power BI Service.

Step 2: Configure Credentials in Power BI Service

1. Go to Power BI Service > Workspace > Dataset Settings.
2. Under Data source credentials, click Edit Credentials for your data source.
3. You should now see OAuth2 as an option — select it.
4. Sign in and save the credentials successfully.
   
   
   

Step 3: Clean Old Data Source Permissions 

• In Power BI Desktop, go to File > Options and settings > Data source settings.
• Find and clear any existing permissions related to the old Excel or OneDrive source.
• Save and republish your report after reconnecting via the Web connector.

Additional Tips:

Use SharePoint URL instead of OneDrive URL if you’re using OneDrive for Business:
OneDrive for Business files are stored in SharePoint. Use the SharePoint site URL and folder path to connect via SharePoint Folder connector or Web connector.

Update Power BI Desktop to the latest version to ensure all authentication features are available.

Check with your IT admin if tenant policies restrict authentication flows.

If the response has addressed your query, please Accept it as a solution and give a 'Kudos' so other members can easily find it

Best Regards,
Sreeteja.
Community Support Team 

[Alex0106]

Hi 

Thanks for your response. Unfortunately its still not working. 

When I copy the link I can grant access but only to people in my organisation. I can't grant access to anyone who has the link. Could this be the issue?

I also can't find the onedrive embed option in my work onedrive online - I can see it on my personal onedrive files. 

[v-sshirivolu · Accepted solution]

Hi @Alex0106 ,
Thanks for reaching out to the Microsoft fabric community forum.

Step 1: Get SharePoint Site and File Path

1. Open the Excel file in OneDrive for Business in the browser.

2. Click "..." - Details to view the document location.

3. Copy the full SharePoint URL up to the site root.

Example: https://yourorg.sharepoint.com/sites/YourTeamSite

Step 2: Use SharePoint Folder in Power BI Desktop

1. In Power BI Desktop, go to Home → Get Data → More → SharePoint Folder.

2. Enter the root SharePoint URL (like above).

3. When prompted for credentials:

   • Choose Organizational account (OAuth2).

   • Sign in with your work credentials.

   • Power BI will return all files in the site. Filter by your file name to select your Excel file.

Step 3: Load the Data

• Transform the data using Power Query as needed.

• Save and publish the report to Power BI Service.

Step 4: Set Credentials in Power BI Service

Go to Power BI Service → Workspace → Dataset Settings.

1. Under Data source credentials, choose OAuth2 / Organizational account and sign in.

2. Click Save - it should now work properly since SharePoint Folder supports this flow.

If the response has addressed your query, please Accept it as a solution and give a 'Kudos' so other members can easily find it

Best Regards,
Sreeteja.
Community Support Team 

[Alex0106]

Thank you!!

For others - i had /:x/r/ in the site root URL - no idea why. I just deleted them so that the root site reflected the format of the example provided and it appeared to work up until loading to the desktop version where the connection broke down (so the connection was working in power query but then the data wouldnt load in Power Bi desktop view). 

After some googling, turning off Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) in the wifi settings seemed to fix the issue and I now have the connection and can set up an automatic refresh in Power Bi Service. 

[v-sshirivolu]

Hi  @Alex0106  ,
Just wanted to check if you had the opportunity to review the suggestion provided?

If the response has addressed your query, please Accept it as a solution and give a 'Kudos' so other members can easily find it.

Thank you.

[v-sshirivolu]

Hi @Alex0106 ,
May I ask if you have resolved this issue? If so, please mark the helpful reply and Accept it as the solutionand give a 'Kudos'. This will be helpful for other community members who have similar problems to solve it faster.

[SamsonTruong]

Hi @Alex0106 ,

Can you try changing the authentication method to OAuth2. This should allow you to login with your credentials.

If this helped, please mark it as the solution so others can benefit too. And if you found it useful, kudos are always appreciated.

Thanks,

Samson

[Alex0106]

Hi Samson

Unfortunately I have no other options for the Authentication method other than the one selected. 

Thanks

Alex