> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cube.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Microsoft Power BI

> Microsoft Power BI is a popular business intelligence tool.

[Microsoft Power BI][link-powerbi] is a popular business intelligence tool.

Cube Cloud works with both [Power BI Desktop and Power BI Service][link-powerbi-desktop-vs-service].
If you're using Power BI Service, you need to set up an [on-premises data gateway][link-powerbi-gateway].

<iframe width="100%" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vgrFPOMuJJs" title="YouTube video" frameBorder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowFullScreen />

## Connect to the DAX API

Cube Cloud provides the [DAX API][ref-dax-api] for the native Power BI connectivity.

In Power BI Desktop, choose the **SQL Server Analysis Services database** option
when connecting to a data source. Then, enter the DAX API credentials and choose
**Windows** authentication. It accomodates both [Kerberos][ref-kerberos] and
[NTLM][ref-ntlm] methods.

To find your DAX API credentials, go to the [Integrations][ref-integrations-apis] page,
click **API credentials**, and choose the **DAX API** tab.

### Authentication methods

Cube Cloud supports the following authentication methods for Power BI:

| Application      | Authentication                              | Notes                                                                             |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Power BI Desktop | [NTLM][ref-ntlm-desktop]                    | 🟡 Works well for testing purposes                                                |
| Power BI Desktop | [Kerberos][ref-kerberos]                    | 🟢 Recommended for production                                                     |
| Power BI Service | [NTLM][ref-ntlm] + [Kerberos][ref-kerberos] | 🟢 Recommended for production.<br />Requires [on-premises data gateway][ref-opdg] |

### Connection methods

Cube uses Power BI's [*live connection*][link-powerbi-live] mode. You compose
queries using the Power BI UI, and they run against your Cube semantic model in
real time, so you always work with up-to-date data and an up-to-date model.

<Warning>
  Power BI's other connection methods, [*DirectQuery*][link-powerbi-directquery]
  and *import mode*, are not supported. Because writing your own DAX queries
  requires *DirectQuery*, custom DAX queries are not supported either.
</Warning>

## Connect to the SQL API

You can connect a Cube deployment to Power BI using the [SQL API][ref-sql-api]
as if Cube is a Postgres database. It would provide much more limited functionality
than the DAX API. However, this is the only option when using Cube Core.

[link-powerbi]: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/power-platform/products/power-bi/

[link-powerbi-desktop-vs-service]: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/fundamentals/service-service-vs-desktop

[link-powerbi-gateway]: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/service-gateway-onprem

[ref-dax-api]: /reference/dax-api

[ref-integrations-apis]: /admin/connect-to-data/visualization-tools

[ref-sql-api]: /reference/core-data-apis/sql-api

[ref-sls]: /docs/integrations/semantic-layer-sync

[ref-kerberos]: /docs/integrations/power-bi/kerberos

[ref-ntlm]: /docs/integrations/power-bi/ntlm

[ref-ntlm-desktop]: /docs/integrations/power-bi/ntlm#power-bi-desktop

[link-powerbi-live]: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/desktop-directquery-about#live-connections

[link-powerbi-directquery]: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/desktop-directquery-about

[ref-opdg]: /docs/integrations/power-bi/ntlm#configuration