Microsoft Power BI Integration (BETA)

Microsoft Power BI Integration (BETA) #

Report outputs can be accessed directly via Microsoft Power BI using the REST API. This allows for communications reporting to be combined with other data sources using the Power BI platform.

Information Circle info
To access reports via Power BI, the REST API must be enabled on the reseller and customer accounts. Please refer to the API Documentation for more information.

Custom Connector #

~.Dimensions.~ provides a custom connecter which must be side loaded into Power BI Desktop to allow access to the reports. Depending on the version of Power BI installed, the custom connector is side-loaded in one of two ways:

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The ~.Dimensions.~ Power BI custom connector is currently in BETA. Once the connector is finalised, it will be made available in the official Microsoft Power BI marketplace.
  1. Download the latest version of the ~.Dimensions.~ Power BI custom connector.
  2. Copy the file to one of the following locations depending on your version of Power BI:

Microsoft Power BI Desktop (Store Version)

Documents\\Power BI Desktop\\Custom Connectors
Document note
If the 'Custom Connectors' folder does not exist, it will need to be created manually.

Microsoft Power BI Desktop (Direct Download Version)

Documents\\Power BI Desktop\\Custom Connectors
Document note
If the 'Custom Connectors' folder does not exist, it will need to be created manually.

Install Process #

Once the custom connector has been copied to the correct location, Power BI Desktop must be configured to allow uncertified connectors.

Enable Custom Connector Side-loading #

  1. Open Power BI Desktop, then navigate to File -> Options and Settings -> Options.
  2. Under 'Security -> Data Extensions', select 'Allow any extension to load without validation or warning'.
  3. Restart Power BI Desktop to apply the changes.

Add the ~.Dimensions.~ Connector #

To complete this step, you will need the client ID and client secret from the REST API configuration.

  1. Open Power BI Desktop, then select 'Get Data'.
  2. Select 'More...' to open the 'Get Data' window.
  3. Search for '~.Dimensions.~' in the search box.
  4. Select the '~.Dimensions.~ Analytics' connector, then press 'Connect'.
  5. Select the correct region from the drop down list.
  6. Enter the 'Date Range' you wish to return date for.
  7. Enter the Client ID and Client Secret from the REST API configuration.
  8. Press 'OK' to connect.

If the client id and secret are valid, the connection will be made and a query will be returned. Follow the next steps to select the report data you wish to import by Transforming the query.

Transforming Data #

  1. Select 'Transform Data' to open the Power Query Editor.

You should be present with a list of available 'Workspaces' on the account.

  1. Click on the 'Table' link in the 'Data' column for the workspace you wish to access.

You should now be presented with a list of available reports in the selected workspace.

  1. Click on the 'Table' link in the 'Data' column for the report you wish to access.

The report data for you selected 'Date Range' should now be returned.

  1. Press 'Close & Apply' to load the data into Power BI Desktop.
Document note
Repeat the steps above to add additional workspaces or reports as required.