Connect Azure Synapse to Power BI Enterprise Data Analytics, Real-time Insights, Anywhere.
Certified Data Connectivity
Why CData for Azure Synapse Power BI Connectivity
Break free from data loading limitations and on-premises restrictions of Azure Synapse reporting in Power BI. Easily connect Microsoft Power BI with live Azure Synapse data for up-to-date visual analysis and reporting.
High-performance Azure Synapse Connectivity
Eliminate Azure Synapse performance & query speed issues in minutes
Large datasets often slow down reports and dashboards in Power BI due to its in-memory model. However, CData's Power BI Connector for Azure Synapse overcomes these challenges with advanced query optimization and Direct Query support. By leveraging Direct Query, you can avoid loading your entire Azure Synapse dataset into local memory and instead benefit from efficient server-side processing.
Breakthrough Power BI data volume and storage limits
Power BI Pro imposes a 1GB dataset size limit, and even Premium workspaces have constraints on query performance. The CData Power BI Connector supports Direct Query, reducing the amount of data retrieved when analyzing Azure Synapse data. Instead of loading the entire Azure Synapse dataset, only the necessary subset of query results is returned for your reports, optimizing performance and efficiency.
Microsoft Power BI
Comprehensive Azure Synapse data and metadata discovery
Find the Azure Synapse data you need for reports — fast and easy.
The Azure Synapse Connector provides full access to both data and metadata, enabling efficient automated data exploration and discovery. It features intelligent row scanning, type detection, relationship mapping, and support for unstructured data. These capabilities allow Power BI to recognize data fields without the need for casting or conversion, making it easier and faster for users to create meaningful reports.
Live Azure Synapse reporting. No ETL Required
Mitigate security & compliance risks vs. other integrations
CData's live Power BI connectivity for Azure Synapse overcomes the challenges associated with traditional integration methods like ETL and local data replication. Unlike data replication, live querying enhances security and compliance by eliminating risks such as data staleness, inconsistency, and corruption. It also reduces exposure from overprivileged access and delayed revocation while minimizing the attack surface created by duplicate copies. Additionally, live connectivity simplifies regulatory compliance by ensuring better adherence to data residency, retention policies, and auditability requirements.
Native Power BI Gateway and Power Platform support
Azure Synapse Power BI Connector supports the use from Power BI Gateway. Power BI on-premises gateway allows publish and auto-refresh the data set in your Power BI Desktop to Power BI cloud and other Microsoft Power Platform services such as Power Apps and Power Automate.
Cloud-to-cloud integration with auto-refresh
Sometimes setting up Power BI Gateway is not an option. IT departments often resist installing the Power BI on-premises gateway due to security concerns over data access and credential storage. They may also be reluctant because of the added maintenance burden and potential network vulnerabilities.
CData Connect AI transforms Azure Synapse data connectivity by removing the need for a local gateway. This enables Power BI service users to refresh data seamlessly within Power BI, ensuring they always work with the latest Azure Synapse data. While it doesn't yet support Direct Query mode, CData Connect AI is the ideal choice for deploying auto-refreshing Power BI reports in the cloud.
Connect Power BI to Azure Synapse
Watch the video overview for a first hand look at how easy it is to connect Power BI to live data from Azure Synapse with CData.
- Leverage Direct Query capabilities to enhance analytics performance for large Azure Synapse data sets.
- Extensive schema discovery capabilities for every data source. Explore tables, columns, keys, and other data constructs based on user identity.
- Easily connect Power BI directly with complex data structures through flexible and extensible flattening.
- Deploy Power BI reports that automatically refresh on-prem or to the cloud.
- And more!
Frequent Azure Synapse Power BI Connectivity questions
Common questions about integrating Azure Synapse with Microsoft Power BI.
Does Azure Synapse support Power BI?
Azure Synapse doesn't natively integrate with Power BI, but CData Power BI Connectors for Azure Synapse enable seamless Azure Synapse analytics and reporting. Our connectors provide real-time, direct access to Azure Synapse data in Power BI, allowing you to build dynamic dashboards without complex ETL processes. With CData, you get secure, high-performance connectivity for better insights.
How do I connect to Azure Synapse from Power BI?
Moving data from Azure Synapse to Power BI doesn't have to be difficult. The Azure Synapse Power BI Connector enables real-time, direct Power BI Azure Synapse connectivity, eliminating complex ETL.
How It Works
- Install the PowerBI Azure Synapse connector and open Power BI Desktop.
- Connect via Get Data > More > CData Azure Synapse using your credentials to connect Azure Synapse and Power BI.
- Access live data, run SQL queries, and build dynamic dashboards.
- Publish reports to Power BI Service for seamless sharing.
That's all there is to it. With secure, high-performance Power BI Azure Synapse integration, CData simplifies Azure Synapse bi, analytics and reporting. For more information, read the Power BI Azure Synapse Connector getting started guide.
What are the advantages of using the CData Azure Synapse data Connector for Power BI?
The CData Azure Synapse Connector offers key advantages for seamless Azure Synapse Power BI integration:
- Azure Synapse Real-Time Analytics (DirectQuery): Live, direct query access to Azure Synapse data in Power BI eliminates extracts and refreshes. This is especially powerful for working with large Azure Synapse datasets, as it allows you to analyze massive amounts of data without the limitations of in-memory processing. DirectQuery ensures your reports always reflect the latest Azure Synapse information.
- Performance & Scalability: Optimized queries ensure fast data retrieval and handle growing data volumes efficiently. Even with massive datasets, the CData connectors make Azure Synapse PowerBI integration fast and reliable.
- Comprehensive Data Access: The Azure Synapse BI connector provides comprehensive access to Azure Synapse Data and Azure Synapse metadata, empowering you to understand the structure of your data and build more robust and accurate reports. This deep Azure Synapse metadata integration simplifies data discovery and ensures your Power BI reports accurately reflect the meaning and context of your Azure Synapse data.
- Enterprise-Grade Security: The Azure Synapse PowerBI connector supports modern security standards and enterprise authentication methods, making it easier to comply with security policies.
Ultimately, the Azure Synapse to Power BI connector delivers fast, secure, and customizable access to Azure Synapse in Power BI for analytics and reporting.
How does the CData Azure Synapse connector work with Power BI Service?
Yes, all of our connectors support connecting Microsoft Power BI and Azure Synapse integration from Power BI Service by using the Microsoft Power BI Gateway. Instructions for installing and configuring the Power BI Gateway are available in the online Azure Synapse help file.
Alternatively, for customers unable to use the Microsoft Power BI Gateway should consider the CData Connect AI Power BI Client for real-time integration with Azure Synapse. With CData Connect AI, there is no need to install individual connectors in order to connect Power BI to Azure Synapse. Easily build visualizations in Power BI that are powered by live data, without installing any new software or 3rd party connectors.
Find out more about connecting Azure Synapse to Power BI Service.
Where can I download the Azure Synapse Connector for Power BI?
All of the CData Power BI Connectors for PowerBI Azure Synapse integration are freely available for download online. A 30-day trial of the Azure Synapse Connector download can be found alongside other supported Azure Synapse integration technologies like ODBC, JDBC, ADO.NET, SQL Server SSIS, and more.
Does the Power BI connector support ARM64 devices?
Yes, our Power BI connector supports ARM64 Windows.
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