---
title: "Power BI Desktop"
space: "Cloud"
url: "https://docs.frappe.io/cloud/connect-power-bi-desktop"
updated: "2026-02-16"
---


> [Microsoft Power BI](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/products/power-bi) is an interactive data visualization software product developed by Microsoft with a primary focus on business intelligence (BI).
> 
> 

Step 1: Create Site Database User
---------------------------------

1. You need to first generate a database user for your site. Follow this [documentation](https://frappecloud.com/docs/database-users-and-permission-manager) to create a read-only user.
2. Typically, it takes a few seconds to configure the database user. Once it's complete, click on **View Credential**.

![Screenshot 2025-01-31 at 1.15.44 PM](/files/Screenshot 2025-01-31 at 1.15.44 PM.png "Screenshot 2025-01-31 at 1.15.44 PM.png")

Step 2: Install MariaDB ODBC connector
--------------------------------------

1. Download MariaDB ODBC Connector v3.1.x ([Download link](https://mariadb.com/downloads/connectors/connectors-data-access/odbc-connector)). 


> **Note**: Please avoid installing v3.2.x as it has a [bug](https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Power-Query/Excel-Power-Query-issue-with-MariaDB-ODBC-driver/m-p/4320893) that causes it to not work with Power BI.
> 
> 

![256](/files/256.png "256.png")
2. Install ODBC Connector.

![ss2 1](/files/ss2 1.png "ss2 1.png")  


![ss3](/files/ss3.png "ss3.png")  


![ss5](/files/ss5.png "ss5.png")

Step 3: Setup Credentials in ODBC
---------------------------------

1. Open **ODBC Data Sources** with **Run as administrator.**


> **Note :** If you have installed ODBC connector of x64 version, then you should open `ODBC Data Sources (64-bit)` and if you have downloaded and installed x32 version, then open `ODBC Data Sources (32-bit)`
> 
> 

![ss12](/files/ss12.png "ss12.png")
2. Click on **Add** button in **User DSN** tab.

![ss19](/files/ss19.png "ss19.png")
3. Choose **MariaDB ODBC 3.1 Driver**.

![27](/files/27.png "27.png")
4. Put the **Server Name** , **Port**, **Use Name** , **Password**, **Database** in the required fields and go to next page.


> **Note:** Currently If you try to click on **Test DSN**, it will fail. We need to do few more configurations to make it working.
> 
> 

![ss14](/files/ss14.png "ss14.png")
5. No information is needed on the current page. Proceed to the next page.

![17](/files/17.png "17.png")
6. No information is needed on the current page. Proceed to the next page.

![18](/files/18.png "18.png")
7. In current page, make sure to check **Verify Certificate** & **Force TLS Use** checkbox.

![ss17](/files/ss17.png "ss17.png")
8. No information is needed on the current page. Click on **Finish** to save it.

![ss18](/files/ss18.png "ss18.png")

Step 4: Configure MariaDB ODBC In Power BI Desktop
--------------------------------------------------

1. Open Power BI and click on **Get Data From Other Sources**.

![ss6](/files/ss6.png "ss6.png")
2. Search for **ODBC** and click on **Connect**.

![ss20](/files/ss20.png "ss20.png")
3. Choose the ODBC connection from the list. It should be the same you have created in **ODBC Data Sources Administrator** in **Step 3**.

![21](/files/21.png "21.png")
4. Now, it might ask you for username and password. Choose **Windows** from the sidebar and click on **Connect**.

![25](/files/25.png "25.png")
5. Once connected, you will be able to view all the tables and their previews.

![257](/files/257.png "257.png")
6. Now, follow the [official documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/) to create dashboards and reports in Power BI.