Data Sources

Power BI

Power BI

Overview

This guide explains exactly how to enable and configure the Power BI connection in Connetra.

Following these steps allows Connetra to: - Discover Power BI workspaces, datasets, and reports - Extract enhanced dataset metadata using Power BI Admin APIs - Build lineage between data warehouse tables (e.g. Snowflake, BigQuery) and Power BI dataset models

⚠️ Power BI Admin access is required to complete this setup. Without Admin API access, Connetra can only show lineage within Power BI (for example, report → dataset).

Step 1: Create an Azure AD Application

  • Open the Azure Portal
  • Navigate to Azure Active Directory → App registrations
  • Click New registration
  • Complete the form: - Name: Connetra - Supported account types: Accounts in this organizational directory only (Single tenant) - Redirect URI: Leave blank
  • Click Register
  • After registration, note the following from the Overview page: - Application (Client) ID - Directory (Tenant) ID
  • You will need both values later.

Step 2: Create a Client Secret

  • In the App registration, open Certificates & secrets
  • Click New client secret
  • Enter a description and select an expiry period
  • Click Add

⚠️ Copy and store the Client Secret value immediately. It will not be shown again.

Step 3: Enable Power BI Admin API Access

  • Connetra requires access to the Power BI Admin APIs to build lineage between Power BI datasets and upstream data warehouse tables. These APIs read metadata directly from the Power BI Service (no PBIX files are used).
  • This step must be completed by a user with Power BI Administrator or Global Administrator permissions.
3.1 Enable Service Principal API Access
  • In Power BI Service: - Open Admin portal → Tenant settings - Under Developer settings, enable: - Service principals can call Fabric public APIs - Scope the setting to Entire organization or a specific security group
3.2 Enable Admin APIs
  • In Admin portal → Tenant settings → Admin API settings, enable: - Allow service principals to use read-only admin APIs - Enhance admin APIs responses with detailed metadata - Enhance admin APIs responses with DAX and mashup expressions

These settings are required for Connetra to determine lineage between Power BI datasets and warehouse tables.

3.3 Configure Role
  • Open the Azure Portal
  • Open Roles
  • Search for Fabric Administrator and open it → Add Assignment → search for the created Azure AD Application and select it.

app must not have any admin-consent required permissions for Power BI set on it in the Azure portal (Tenant.Read.All or Tenant.ReadWrite.All)

Step 4: Grant Workspace Access

  • Connetra can only scan Power BI assets in workspaces it has access to.
  • For each workspace you want Connetra to index: - Open Power BI Service → Workspaces - Select the workspace - Click Workspace access - Add the Connetra service principal - Set role to Admin (recommended) - Click Add and close
  • Workspace Admin access ensures Connetra can read full dataset metadata required for lineage.

Step 5: Add the Integration in Connetra

  • In Connetra: - Navigate to Settings → Data Connectors → Select Power BI Data Tool - Open the Managed tab
  • Enter the following: - Client ID: Application (Client) ID from Azure AD - Tenant ID: Directory (Tenant) ID from Azure AD - Client Secret: Client Secret value
  • Click Save

Once connected, Connetra will begin syncing Power BI assets and metadata.

Notes & Best Practices

  • Admin APIs are required for the most complete warehouse → Power BI dataset lineage
  • Limit workspace access to only those you want indexed
  • Rotate client secrets before expiry to avoid sync interruptions

If you have questions or need help validating your setup, contact the Connetra team.