Connect a Dataverse Table to Power BI

Introduction

Microsoft Dataverse is a cloud-based data storage service that provides a structured way to manage and store business data. Power BI, a powerful data visualization tool, allows users to connect to Dataverse and create insightful reports. This guide will walk you through connecting a Dataverse table to Power BI Desktop using the Common Dataverse Service (Legacy) connector.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• A Microsoft Power BI Desktop installed on your computer.
• Access to a Microsoft Dataverse environment.
• Required permissions to read Dataverse tables.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Open Power BI Desktop

Launch Power BI Desktop on your computer. If you don’t have it installed, download it from the official Microsoft website.

Step 2: Get Data from Dataverse

1. Click on Home in the ribbon.
2. Select Get Data and then choose More….
3. In the search box, type “Dataverse” and select Common Data Service (Legacy).
4. Click Connect.

Step 3: Sign In to Dataverse

1. A pop-up window will appear asking you to sign in.
2. Use your Microsoft credentials associated with your Dataverse environment.
3. Once authenticated, you will see a list of available Dataverse tables.

Step 4: Select the Required Table

1. Browse through the list or search for the specific table you want to import.
2. Click on the table and then select Load to import it directly into Power BI.
3. Alternatively, you can choose Transform Data to open Power Query Editor for data cleaning and modifications before loading.

Step 5: Transform Data (Optional)

If needed, perform data transformations in Power Query Editor:

• Remove unnecessary columns.
• Change data types.
• Filter or merge data with other sources. Once satisfied, click Close & Apply to load the transformed data into Power BI.

Step 6: Build Reports and Visualizations

1. Use the Fields pane to drag and drop columns onto the report canvas.
2. Select visualization types like tables, charts, or maps.
3. Apply filters and slicers to enhance data exploration.
4. Format visuals for better readability.

Step 7: Publish the Report

Once your report is ready:

1. Click on File > Save As and save your Power BI file.
2. If you want to share it, click Publish and select the Power BI Service workspace.
3. Users with appropriate permissions can now access the published report online.

Step 8: Connect Using the Dataverse Option

If you prefer to connect using the newer Dataverse option:

1. Click on Home in the ribbon.
2. Select Get Data and then choose More….
3. In the search box, type “Dataverse” and select Dataverse instead of Common Data Service (Legacy).
4. Click Connect and sign in with your Microsoft credentials.
5. Choose the table you need and either Load it directly or use Transform Data for additional modifications.
6. Follow the same steps for building reports and publishing as described above.

Connect a Dataverse Table to Power BI dashboard

Connect a Dataverse Table to Power BI repot

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