Getting Data from Multiple Sources in Power BI

Ehinmetan serah — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:52:36 +0000

Introduction

If you’re new to Power BI, one of the first things you need to learn is how to bring data into the tool. In real-world projects, your data won’t come from just one place. Power BI bridges this gap by allowing analysts to connect, transform, and unify data from multiple sources into a single semantic model.

Whether you're working with Excel files, SQL databases, JSON documents, or cloud platforms like SharePoint and Azure, understanding how to connect these sources efficiently is critical for building scalable and insightful reports.

In this guide, you will learn how to:
• Connect Power BI to multiple data sources efficiently
• Use Power Query to preview and explore your data
• Detect and resolve data quality issues early
• Build a strong foundation for accurate data modeling and reporting

Architecture Overview
At a high level, our Power BI data architecture consists of:
• Power BI Desktop as the reporting and modeling tool
• Multiple data sources, including:
o Excel and Text/CSV files
o SQL Server databases
o JSON and PDF files
o SharePoint folders

All data flows into Power BI through Power Query, where it is reviewed and prepared before loading into the data model.

Connecting Data from Multiple Sources

Power BI allows you to connect to a wide range of data sources. Below are step-by-step guides for each major source.

Step 1: Connecting to Excel

Open Power BI Desktop

Navigate to Home → Get Data → Excel

Browse and select your Excel file

In the Navigator window, select the required sheets or tables

Click Load (to import directly) or Transform Data (to clean first)

Step 2: Connecting to Text/CSV Files

Open Power BI Desktop

Navigate to Home → Get Data → Text/CSV

Browse and select the CSV file (e.g., Stimulating Sustainable.csv)

Preview the dataset in the dialog window
Click Load or Transform Data

Step 3: Connecting to PDF

Open Power BI Desktop
Navigate to Home → Get Data → PDF

Select the PDF file

Wait for Power BI to detect available tables
Select the desired table(s)
Click Load or Transform Data

Step 4: Connecting to JSON

Open Power BI Desktop
Navigate to Home → Get Data → JSON

Select the JSON file

OR input API endpoint

Load the data into Power Query

Expand nested fields to structure the data properly

Click Close & Apply

Step 5: Connecting to SharePoint Folder

Open Power BI Desktop
Navigate to Home → Get Data → SharePoint Folder

Enter the SharePoint site URL

Click OK and authenticate if required
Select files from the folder

Click Combine & Transform Data

Step 6: Connecting to MySQL Database

Open Power BI Desktop
Navigate to Home → Get Data → MySQL Database

Enter the server name and database

Provide authentication credentials

Select the required tables
Click Load or Transform Data

Step 7: Connecting to SQL Server

Open Power BI Desktop
Navigate to Home → Get Data → SQL Server

Enter the server name (e.g., localhost)
Leave the database field blank (or specify one if needed)
Click OK

Select authentication method (e.g., Windows credentials)

In the Navigator pane, expand the database (e.g., AdventureWorksDW2020)
Select required tables such as: o DimEmployee o DimProduct o FactResellerSales
Click Transform Data to open Power Query Editor

Step 8: Connecting to Web Data

Open Power BI Desktop
Navigate to Home → Get Data → Web

Enter the URL of the web page or API
Click OK

Select the data table or structure detected
Click Load or Transform Data

Step 9: Connecting to Azure Analysis Services

Open Power BI Desktop
Navigate to Home → Get Data → Azure → Azure Analysis Services

Enter the server name
Select the database/model
Choose connection mode (Live connection recommended)

Click Connect

DEV Community: Ehinmetan serah