what is a good SQL server that works well with power BI

[sl1224]

im looking for a good SQL server that works well with power BI. alot of my reports come from power BI. looking for a good SQL server to pull data from that works well with power bi. 

[djurecicK2 · Accepted solution]

Hi @sl1224 

 There are a lot of supported data sources- here is the list:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/power-bi-data-sources

Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL Database are both good choices.

[djurecicK2 · Accepted solution]

That's kind of outside the scope of these forums- here is an article to get you started:

https://adamtheautomator.com/microsoft-sql-server-standard-edition/

[djurecicK2 · Accepted solution]

Hi @sl1224 

 There are a lot of supported data sources- here is the list:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/power-bi-data-sources

Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL Database are both good choices.

[sl1224]

is mysql = microsoft SQL server?

[collinq]

Hi @sl1224 ,

No, MySQL is an open source database (with some companies crating and selling their own spin on it).  As @djurecicK2 stated, Azure and Microsoft SQL are good choices and I would say the "best" SQL choices to use.  BUT, technically, you can connect to other SQL options and you can use "any" of them but they have differetn capabilities and different security configurations.

I would suggest you research the SQL differences and understand why you might pick one over another for your needs.

[sl1224]

thank you! i think ima go with microsoft SQL server. do i need anything in particular to download it and get it running? or once i download it i can start importing data into it?