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SQL Azure connector with Azure AD Auth

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Neil Palmer on 12 Oct 2015 18:02:41

Update the SQL Azure connector to use Azure AD Auth. This will allow row level security in the database to be used with PowerBI.

It would be great to have PowerBI pass through user credentials to the database so that data can be kept secure.

Administrator on 10 Jan 2018 02:01:06

This feature has shipped in the January 2018 update for Power BI Desktop. Please refer to the official announcement for more details: https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/power-bi-desktop-january-2018-feature-summary/#AADauth

Comments (63)
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Power BI User on 05 Jul 2020 23:05:11

RE: SQL Azure connector with Azure AD Auth

Since this didn't make the Nov 2017 release, will we definitely see in the Dec 2017 release?

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James Burlace on 05 Jul 2020 23:02:45

RE: SQL Azure connector with Azure AD Auth

Does Power BI Desktop/Azure SQL DB work with Integrated AD Authentication yet? There's a lot of conflicting information out there and we have a project to complete. Many thanks.

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Wade McGriff on 05 Jul 2020 23:01:48

RE: SQL Azure connector with Azure AD Auth

lifesaver:
https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/azuresqldbsupport/2017/04/06/connect-from-power-bi-to-azure-sql-database-using-aad-authentication/

I have tested this, it is excruciating. It is basically Power Query. You have the same issues connecting to Azure SQL DB in Excel. I love the idea of Azure SQL Database, no VM needed. However, connectivity, again, is excruciating. This isn't a solution, but a work around for those that need it. You need the flipping ODBC Driver, but it works if you have a newer install of Windows, SQL etc...

ODBC (for AD PW Auth; must have ODBC Drive 13 for SQL Server)
Driver={ODBC Driver 13 for SQL Server};Server=;Database=;Encrypt=yes;TrustServerCertificate=no;Connection Timeout=30;Authentication=ActiveDirectoryPassword

OLEDB (SQL Server Authentication Only):
provider=SQLNCLI11.1;initial catalog=;data source=;auto translate=False

Also, for SSMS, use Azure AD PASSWORD AUTHENTICATION! Good Luck!

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Michael McMaster on 05 Jul 2020 23:00:58

RE: SQL Azure connector with Azure AD Auth

Can we get an update on this feature?

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Benoit Girard on 05 Jul 2020 23:00:09

RE: SQL Azure connector with Azure AD Auth

Pass through AzureAD credentials are a must to support direct query database RLS with views that protect the data using the original_login () TSQL function. It allows us to build centralized robust RLS that reside on the server itself.

Implementing this in PowerBI is not what we want to in an enterprise setup.

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Thanos Draganidis on 05 Jul 2020 23:00:01

RE: SQL Azure connector with Azure AD Auth

This would also allow using DirectQuery (and consequently live refresh), something that we miss when using ODBC.

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Rudy Cortembert on 05 Jul 2020 22:59:06

RE: SQL Azure connector with Azure AD Auth

Is it implemented in https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/power-bi-desktop-september-2017-feature-summary/ ?

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Greg on 05 Jul 2020 22:56:25

RE: SQL Azure connector with Azure AD Auth

We would very much like to see Power BI Desktop support AAD for authentication to Azure SQL Database.

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Casey on 05 Jul 2020 22:55:56

RE: SQL Azure connector with Azure AD Auth

Do you even try to use your own products? How is this feature not in yet?

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Power BI User on 05 Jul 2020 22:55:29

RE: SQL Azure connector with Azure AD Auth

No OAuth2, no Azure AD Auth - maybe time to look at viability of Power BI for secure self-service BI!