Paginated Reports - Data Source connection error

[raima]

Hi,

I started working with the PowerBI Service and I seek for some advice for the following requirement.

Currently, I have paginated report built with the Report Builder which uses an ODBC connection to a PostgreSQL database. The report runs fine on a PowerBI Report Server.

Now I do want to use this report in PowerBI Service. In PowerBI Service I already have a PostgreSQL Connection on a Gateway I wanted to use instead of the ODBC connection – unfortunately without success (because “gateway connections are currently not supported” https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Desktop/Report-Builder-Connections-using-a-Power-BI-Gatewa...).

I created a semantic model for the PowerBI Service and tried to rebuild the paginated report using the online paginated report builder. This failed due to limited design possibilities and it seemed in general a bit buggy.

When I check the possible connection types in the “Add Data Source” I can select “Power BI semantic model” but unfortunately, I can’t establish a successful connection (Unable to connect to data source xxx. Please verify the connection properties, credentiuals, and all neede 64-bit versions od data providers are correctly installed).

• Is there probably an additional driver/library needed so I can successfully connect to a Power BI semantic model via Report Builder?
• Is there probably any other recommended approach or any other possibility to connect to a PostgreSQL database or a Semantic model in Power BI Service?

Any input/suggestion/ help is highly appreciated.

Many Thanks!

[GilbertQ]

Hi @raima 

If I understand your question you need to create the report using Power BI Desktop. And then install and configure the Power BI gateway to get it working and refreshing?

[raima]

Hi @GilbertQ ,

I use PowerBi Report Builder to create the paginated report. I would prefer to hava a connection via a gateway on PowerBI Service which I can use for the paginated report, but as i stands this is currently not supported.

I don't use PowerBI Desktop because I believe ther is not an appropriate/easy way to create a paginated report in PowerBI Desktop.

[Anonymous]

Hi @raima 

Agree with GilbertQ, I think you should use ODBC in Power BI Desktop to connect to PostgreSQL and then publish to Service. so that you can connect to this semantic model in Power BI Report Builder.

Please refer to:

Publish Power BI Paginated Reports with Azure PostgreSQL | WinWire

Power BI gateway and Report Builder support for ODBC data sources - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

Here is PostgreSQL ODBC drivers link:

PostgreSQL: File Browser

Best Regards,
Jarvis Tang
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[raima]

Hello @GilbertQ ,

Thank you for your response!

In general whn I am logged in on PowerBI Service in the Power BI Report Builder I can see data of the PostgreSQL database using the connection set up in PowerBI service in the query editor.

But when I run the report (locally or in Power BI Service) I get the error that "Power BI Gateway are not supported" (which they also mentioned in their Blog Post) - but currently I am still experimenting with the data sources to find a way

[GilbertQ · Accepted solution]

Hi @raima 

Here is an example of how you can install and configure PostgreSQL  through the gateway in Power BI Configuring Power BI Connectivity to PostgreSQL Database - oxcrx34285 (microsoft.com)