Forum Discussion
Power BI connection to NAS folder
Hello
How can I add a connection to a NAS folder? It is mounted as a drive letter on Windows (O:\test) but the credentials do not work. It seems to only accept Windows credentials for local folders (C:\test works fine) or server folders on a domain that also use the same Windows log in, but not from an external device such as a NAS. I tried the NAS admin credentials, the full path using the IP address instead of O:, but no luck. Thanks
2 Replies
I have the same problem. I have a NAS server, i can connect to folders via explorer with the given user name and password. I tried Power BI Desktop Power query, Excel Power Query and Power BI service Dataflow Gen1 and none of them accept authentication info which works in Windows explorer window.
What i try to achive is to connect a folder like \\10.0.11.11\sharedOne on NAS server?
I tried writing down the username like LOCALMACHINE\userName, NASSERVERNAME\userName, userName
Hi Ouduk000 and kadirkkkk2
This is a known limitation when connecting NAS drives in Power BI — mapped drives like O:\ won't work directly because Power BI runs under a different context. Here's what usually helps:
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Use the UNC path instead of drive letters:
For example, \\100.11.11.1\sharedOne instead of O:\ -
In the credentials section, try:
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NASNAME\Username or DOMAIN\Username
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Avoid LOCALMACHINE\Username unless the NAS is part of that machine’s domain.
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Make sure the gateway (if used) has access to the NAS path directly — the connection must succeed from the gateway machine’s perspective.
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As a last resort, if authentication fails despite valid creds, test mapping the NAS to a folder path using a script with net use and run Power BI as admin.
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