Power BI Embedded supports 100+ data sources including Azure SQL, Synapse, Dataverse, SharePoint, Salesforce, SAP, and REST APIs. This page lists every supported connector, required credentials, and gateway requirements.
Key Facts
- Power BI Embedded supports all data sources available in Power BI Desktop — 100+ connectors.
- Cloud sources (Azure SQL, Synapse, Dataverse) connect directly without a gateway.
- On-premises sources require an on-premises data gateway deployed in the customer's network.
- The embed token controls data source authentication — not the end user's identity.
- Row-level security in Embedded is passed via the embed token's RLS configuration.
Power BI Embedded: Supported Data Sources
Power BI Embedded: Supported Data Sources
Power BI Embedded supports 100+ data sources including Azure SQL, Synapse, Dataverse, SharePoint, Salesforce, SAP, and REST APIs. This page lists every supported connector, required credentials, and gateway requirements.
Key facts
- Power BI Embedded supports all data sources available in Power BI Desktop — 100+ connectors.
- Cloud sources (Azure SQL, Synapse, Dataverse) connect directly without a gateway.
- On-premises sources require an on-premises data gateway deployed in the customer's network.
- The embed token controls data source authentication — not the end user's identity.
- Row-level security in Embedded is passed via the embed token's RLS configuration.
Cloud Data Sources (No Gateway Required)
- Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance.
- Azure Synapse Analytics (dedicated and serverless pools).
- Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2.
- Microsoft Dataverse (Dynamics 365, Power Apps).
- SharePoint Online lists and document libraries.
- Salesforce (Import mode only).
- Google Analytics, Google BigQuery.
- REST APIs via the Web connector.
- OData feeds.
On-Premises Sources (Gateway Required)
- SQL Server (2012 and later).
- Oracle Database (12c and later).
- SAP HANA and SAP Business Warehouse.
- IBM DB2.
- Teradata.
- PostgreSQL and MySQL.
- Excel and CSV files on network drives.
- SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services).
Authentication Patterns for Embedded
In Power BI Embedded, data source authentication is handled at the service level — not by the end user. The embed token specifies the identity and RLS configuration for each viewer.
- Service principal authentication — recommended for production Embedded deployments.
- Master user authentication — simpler but not recommended for multi-tenant ISV scenarios.
- Row-level security passed via embed token — controls data visibility per viewer.
- OAuth 2.0 for cloud sources (Salesforce, Google) — configure in Power BI Service credentials.
Gateway Requirements
An on-premises data gateway is required for any on-premises or private-network data source. The gateway runs as a Windows service and proxies queries between Power BI Service and the source.
- Standard mode — supports scheduled refresh and DirectQuery.
- Personal mode — single-user only, not for Embedded production deployments.
- Gateway clusters — use multiple gateways for high availability.
- Gateway sizing — 16+ CPU cores recommended for heavy DirectQuery workloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does EPC Group specialize in?
EPC Group specializes in enterprise Microsoft consulting — Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, Azure, SharePoint, and Copilot. We have completed 10,000+ enterprise engagements for Fortune 500 and regulated-industry clients.
How do I get started with EPC Group?
Call (888) 381-9725 or email contact@epcgroup.net. Every engagement starts with a 30-minute discovery call with the architect who will lead your project.
How much does EPC Group consulting cost?
Hourly rates run $150–$500 by specialization. Fixed-fee accelerators start at $25,000. See the pricing page for full ranges by service type.
Are you a Microsoft Solutions Partner?
Yes. EPC Group holds core Microsoft Solutions Partner designations including Data & AI, Modern Work, and Security.
Do you work with regulated industries?
Yes. Compliance is core to every EPC Group engagement. We architect for HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP, CMMC, FERPA, and GDPR from day one.
Get Expert Help
EPC Group architects have completed 1,500+ Power BI deployments. Call (888) 381-9725 or request a 30-minute discovery call.
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Why Organizations Choose EPC Group
EPC Group is a Houston-based Microsoft consulting firm with 29 years of enterprise implementation experience and over 10,000 successful deployments across Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, SharePoint, Azure, Microsoft 365, and Copilot. We serve organizations across all industries including Fortune 500, federal agencies, healthcare, financial services, government, manufacturing, energy, education, retail, technology, and global enterprises.
What sets EPC Group apart is our governance-first approach. Every engagement begins with a security and compliance assessment. Our team of senior architects brings hands-on delivery experience across HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP, and CMMC environments. We own outcomes, not hours.
- Fixed-fee accelerators with predictable pricing and defined deliverables
- Senior architect engagement on every project, not rotating juniors
- Compliance-native delivery for regulated industries
- End-to-end coverage from strategy through 24/7 managed services
- 11,000+ enterprise engagements refined into repeatable, risk-controlled patterns
Call (888) 381-9725 or email contact@epcgroup.net for a free assessment.
Power BI Strategy: 2026 Considerations for Power BI Embedded Supported Data Sources
Power BI Copilot grounds itself on the semantic model, NOT the underlying source data. That means Copilot answers are only as accurate as the DAX measure definitions, the field metadata (display folders, descriptions, hierarchies), and the synonyms taxonomy. In practice, the difference between a Copilot deployment that drives 32% time-savings and one users abandon within 90 days is whether the semantic model was Copilot-prepared.
Power BI capacity sizing in 2026 starts with the F-SKU economics: F2 ($263/mo) covers small workloads with up to 4 GB of memory and roughly 30 reports, F4 ($526/mo) handles a typical mid-market deployment with semantic-model refresh windows under 10 minutes, and F64 ($5,257/mo) is the sweet spot for enterprises consuming Power BI alongside Microsoft Fabric data engineering, lakehouse storage, and real-time intelligence. Capacity right-sizing should be revisited every 90 days because Microsoft adjusts F-SKU memory allocations, paginated report performance, and Direct Lake mode availability with each major service update.
Decision factors EPC Group evaluates
- Capacity sizing decision (F2/F4/F64+) tied to peak concurrent users and refresh window
- Copilot grounding quality assessment of semantic-model metadata
- Direct Lake mode adoption for Fabric-resident semantic models
- License optimization audit (Pro vs Premium Per User vs F-SKU)
- Row-level security via service principal authentication
For a tailored read on this topic in your specific tenant, contact EPC Group at contact@epcgroup.net or +1 (888) 381-9725. Engagement options at /pricing.