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Why CData for Databricks Power BI Connectivity
Break free from data loading limitations and on-premises restrictions of Databricks reporting in Power BI. Easily connect Microsoft Power BI with live Databricks data for up-to-date visual analysis and reporting.
High-performance Databricks Connectivity
Eliminate Databricks 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 Databricks overcomes these challenges with advanced query optimization and Direct Query support. By leveraging Direct Query, you can avoid loading your entire Databricks 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 Databricks data. Instead of loading the entire Databricks dataset, only the necessary subset of query results is returned for your reports, optimizing performance and efficiency.
Microsoft Power BI
Comprehensive Databricks data and metadata discovery
Find the Databricks data you need for reports — fast and easy.
The Databricks 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.
Simplify report development with SQL-like querying
Certain data sources, such as Databricks and other NoSQL databases, lack native support for SQL-like queries, often requiring data transformation before use in Power BI. CData simplifies this process with a built-in SQL transformation layer that automatically translates SQL queries into real-time data source calls. This enables seamless Databricks integration, making it as straightforward as connecting to a traditional relational database.
Live Databricks reporting. No ETL Required
Mitigate security & compliance risks vs. other integrations
CData's live Power BI connectivity for Databricks 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
Databricks 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 Databricks 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 Databricks 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 Databricks
Watch the video overview for a first hand look at how easy it is to connect Power BI to live data from Databricks with CData.
- Leverage Direct Query capabilities to enhance analytics performance for large Databricks 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 Databricks Power BI Connectivity questions
Common questions about integrating Databricks with Microsoft Power BI.
Does Databricks support Power BI?
Databricks doesn't natively integrate with Power BI, but CData Power BI Connectors for Databricks enable seamless Databricks analytics and reporting. Our connectors provide real-time, direct access to Databricks 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 Databricks from Power BI?
Moving data from Databricks to Power BI doesn't have to be difficult. The Databricks Power BI Connector enables real-time, direct Power BI Databricks connectivity, eliminating complex ETL.
How It Works
- Install the PowerBI Databricks connector and open Power BI Desktop.
- Connect via Get Data > More > CData Databricks using your credentials to connect Databricks 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 Databricks integration, CData simplifies Databricks bi, analytics and reporting. For more information, read the Power BI Databricks Connector getting started guide.
What are the advantages of using the CData Databricks data Connector for Power BI?
The CData Databricks Connector offers key advantages for seamless Databricks Power BI integration:
- Databricks Real-Time Analytics (DirectQuery): Live, direct query access to Databricks data in Power BI eliminates extracts and refreshes. This is especially powerful for working with large Databricks 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 Databricks information.
- Performance & Scalability: Optimized queries ensure fast data retrieval and handle growing data volumes efficiently. Even with massive datasets, the CData connectors make Databricks PowerBI integration fast and reliable.
- Comprehensive Data Access: The Databricks BI connector provides comprehensive access to Databricks Data and Databricks metadata, empowering you to understand the structure of your data and build more robust and accurate reports. This deep Databricks metadata integration simplifies data discovery and ensures your Power BI reports accurately reflect the meaning and context of your Databricks data.
- Enterprise-Grade Security: The Databricks PowerBI connector supports modern security standards and enterprise authentication methods, making it easier to comply with security policies.
Ultimately, the Databricks to Power BI connector delivers fast, secure, and customizable access to Databricks in Power BI for analytics and reporting.
How does the CData Databricks connector work with Power BI Service?
Yes, all of our connectors support connecting Microsoft Power BI and Databricks 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 Databricks 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 Databricks. With CData Connect AI, there is no need to install individual connectors in order to connect Power BI to Databricks. 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 Databricks to Power BI Service.
Where can I download the Databricks Connector for Power BI?
All of the CData Power BI Connectors for PowerBI Databricks integration are freely available for download online. A 30-day trial of the Databricks Connector download can be found alongside other supported Databricks integration technologies like ODBC, JDBC, ADO.NET, SQL Server SSIS, and more.
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