Build Visualizations of Live SAP Data in Power BI (through CData Connect)



Use CData Connect to create a virtual database for SAP data and build custom reports in Power BI.

Power BI transforms your company's data into rich visuals for you to collect and organize so you can focus on what matters to you. When paired with CData Connect (on-premise or in the cloud), you get access to SAP data for visualizations, dashboards, and more. This article shows how to use CData Connect to create a virtual database for SAP, connect to SAP data into Power BI and then create reports on SAP data in Power BI.

Create a Virtual SQL Database for SAP Data

CData Connect Server uses a straightforward, point-and-click interface to connect to data sources and generate APIs.

  1. Login to Connect Server and click Connections.
  2. Select "SAP" from Available Data Sources.
  3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to SAP.

    You can connect to SAP systems using either librfc32.dll, librfc32u.dll, NetWeaver, or Web Services (SOAP). Set the ConnectionType connection property to CLASSIC (librfc32.dll), CLASSIC_UNICODE (librfc32u.dll), NETWEAVER, or SOAP.

    If you are using the SOAP interface, set the Client, RFCUrl, SystemNumber, User, and Password properties, under the Authentication section.

    Otherwise, set Host, User, Password, Client, and SystemNumber.

    Note: We do not distribute the librfc32.dll or other SAP assemblies. You must find them from your SAP installation and install them on your machine.

    For more information, see this guide on obtaining the connection properties needed to connect to any SAP system.

  4. Click Save Changes
  5. Click Privileges -> Add and add the new user (or an existing user) with the appropriate permissions.

With the virtual database created, you are ready to connect to and visualize SAP from Power BI.

Query SAP Tables

Follow the steps below to build a query to pull SAP data into the report:

  1. Open Power BI Desktop and click Get Data -> Other -> SQL Server and click "Connect"
  2. Set Server to the address and port of your CData Connect instance (localhost:8033 by default) and set Database to the name of the virtual database you just created (SAPERP1)
  3. Use "Database" authentication, enter the credentials for a CData Connect user and click "Connect"
  4. Select tables in the Navigator dialog
  5. Click Load to import the data into Power BI

Create SAP Data Visualizations

After connecting to the data into Power BI, you can create data visualizations in the Report view by dragging fields from the Fields pane onto the canvas. Select the dimensions and measures you wish to visualize along with the chart type.

Click Refresh to synchronize your report with any changes to the data.

SQL Access to SAP Data from Data Applications

With CData Connect you have a direct connection to SAP data from Power BI. You can import more data, create new visualizations, build reports, and more — all without replicating SAP data.

To get SQL data access to 200+ SaaS, Big Data, and NoSQL sources (including SAP) directly from your on-premise BI, reporting, ETL and other data applications, visit the CData Connect page and download a free trial.

Ready to get started?

Learn more or sign up for a free trial:

CData Connect Server