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