Tutorial: how to configure PBI to connect to PGSQL ran by Meiro

It is possible to connect data from Meiro with Power BI through the PostgreSQL database. 

In this way, you will be able to work with your data enriched within the Meiro environment further. 

 

Prerequisites

Please make sure that  you have the newest versions installed:

• Gateway
• ODBC driver
• Desktop PBI application

Otherwise, it may have trouble to connect either from the PBI app or from the published dashboard on the PBI server.

1. Download & install ODBC driver

1.1 Open this link.

1.2 Go to the MSI folder (for Windows).

1.3 Download and execute the latest version available.

2. Power BI set up

2.1 Go to the Power BI  and the GetData section. 

2.2 Select the ODBC connection string as below (with the server, database, and port as per your database details).

Driver={PostgreSQL Unicode(x64)};Server={host_domain};Port={port};Database={name_of_ the_database};SSLMode=require;UseUnicode=1;

Further references under this link.

2.3 Insert credentials: database username and password.

 

3. Go to PBI gateway and make sure there is a gateway running on the server

 

3.1 As a standalone application, you can find it in the Task Manager processes.

3.2 Open gateway configurator, log in with your credentials. Make sure it’s running and it’s connected.

If you don’t have a gateway yet, download it here.

4. Schedule refresh on the PBI server

Choose Workspace → go to Datasets → go to Settings

5.Two possible scenarios

5.1 It is possible that you already have data source settings listed within the available options.

This means that you or someone before you already tried to connect to that data source. 

In this case, select the correct server name from the drop-down menu of the Map to section.

 

5.2 You may need to fill in the credentials details

If Power BI does not match the ODBC connection string stored in .pbix file (or any other connection credentials), you will be prompted to fill in the details of the new data source connection.

Make sure you are filling exactly the same credential which you were setting up in the Power BI file mentioned above (point 2). 

 

 

6.  You are ready to work with your data in Power BI

After following all steps above your connection should be set up. Now you can pick data that you wish to use to create your dashboard. 

 Learn more about Power BI with tutorials.

Useful links:
Download ODBC Driver for SQL Server
Connect to a PostgreSQL Data Source (SQL Server Import and Export Wizard)