topic Re: Azure databricks workspace Power BI connector type in Administration & Architecture

Azure databricks workspace Power BI connector type

Malthe — Tue, 13 May 2025 10:39:36 GMT

In Power BI, there's an "Azure Databricks workspace" connector which, unlike the "Azure Databricks" connector, allows you to connect using a service principal defined in Azure Entra ID (rather than within Databricks).

While I can create this connector, it's unclear how to use it–and why it exists as a separate connector type.

Help?

Re: Azure databricks workspace Power BI connector type

Shua42 — Wed, 14 May 2025 16:26:54 GMT

Hey @Malthe ,

You're right in that the main difference is the workspace connector is designed for service principal access. There's a few reasons one might want to use this option instead of user-based auth, mainly that it aligns better with some security policies and is better practice as a credential for scheduled refreshed. If you don't need to use an SP, I would just use the user-level standard connector.

Re: Azure databricks workspace Power BI connector type

seun_adigun — Wed, 14 May 2025 20:56:06 GMT

But then how would you get a Power BI semantic model to use the connection created via a service principal (Azure Databricks workspace)?

Re: Azure databricks workspace Power BI connector type

Malthe — Thu, 15 May 2025 12:20:30 GMT

Agree with @seun_adigun, there is no obvious way to actually use this connector. Neither just by clicking around or reading the documentation.

Re: Azure databricks workspace Power BI connector type

sandeepmankikar — Fri, 16 May 2025 04:09:41 GMT

The "Azure Databricks Workspace" connector in Power BI allows authentication using a service principal from Azure Entra ID, providing more secure and scalable access management compared to the traditional personal token-based "Azure Databricks" connector. It is ideal for automated workflows and enterprise environments where centralized access control is needed.