Analyze Data with Power BI Desktop

Introduction

Kepion supports data analysis through standard Analysis Services (SSAS) databases.  Once a Kepion application is deployed to the SSAS server, you can connect to it through 3rd party reporting tools, e.g. Power BI.  In this article, we will guide you to connect to an OLAP cube from Power BI Desktop.

Before You Start

You can connect your Power BI Desktop to the SSAS server either from within a trusted network or from an external network. Please verify the following in order to successfully connect. 

1. You have an account with access to the SSAS server (i.e. CORP\USER or user@corp.com).
2. You know the Name or IP Address of the server.
3. The SSAS server has the appropriate ports opened and available for access. 

Here we provide the two options for connecting to SSAS based on your environment. 

Option 1: Connect to SSAS Within Network

When you are connecting to the target SSAS database from within the corporate network and using the credential you used to login to your machine, follow these steps.

Tip: If your company has provided you with VPN access to the corporate network, please be sure to login.

Step 1. Open Power BI Desktop.  On the Home tab, select Get data -> Analysis Services.

Step 2. On the SQL Server Analysis Services data window:

• Server: Enter the Name or IP Address of the SSAS server you are trying to connect to. 
• Database: Enter the database name, or leave it empty. 
• Ensure Connect Live is checked.

Then click OK. 

Step 3. On the Navigator window, it lists all the available databases you have access to.  Expand the target database, and select a cube or perspective, then click OK.

Step 4. Now you can start creating your Power BI report.

Option 2: Connect to SSAS Outside Network

When connecting to SSAS using Power BI Desktop from outside the network or when you want to use a different credential, please perform the following steps.

Step 1. Open a Command Prompt as you did earlier, and prepare the following command:

runas /netonly /user:DomainName\UserName “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Power BI Desktop\bin\PBIDesktop.exe”

• Replace DomainName\UserName with the your domain account.
• Ensure that the Power BI Desktop executable is in the correct folder "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Power BI Desktop\bin\PBIDesktop.exe"

Step 2. Type the updated command, and press Enter.

Step 3. Enter the password for your domain account when prompted. Then press Enter.

This will trigger Power BI Desktop to run under the indicated domain account (instead of your local account).

Step 4. Once Power BI Desktop is launched, follow the steps in the section Option 1: Connect to SSAS Within Network to connect to the target SSAS server.