How to Use the Power BI Connector

Prerequisites for Power BI Connector

Before using the Power BI connector, ensure you meet the following requirements:

• Power BI Desktop: Power BI Desktop installed on your machine

• Connector File: foundation.mez connector file (provided by meshX team)

• Application Access: Access to application that have connected data products you want to consume - your user account must have permissions for data:application:browse

• Data Product Access: Your user account must have permissions for data:data_product:read and data:data_product:query permission for each data product you want to use in PowerBI.

The Foundation platform provides a custom Power BI connector that allows easy consumption of data products directly within Power BI Desktop. The connector is specifically designed to load data products that are connected to applications, making it simple to browse and select relevant datasets.

Installation Steps

1. Install the Connector File

   1. Locate your Power BI Custom Connectors folder:

      1. Default path: [Documents]\Microsoft Power BI Desktop\Custom Connectors

      2. Note: If using OneDrive integration, use Windows Explorer quick access link to ensure correct Documents folder

      3. Legacy versions: For older Power BI versions, try [Documents]\Power BI Desktop\Custom Connectors

   2. Copy the foundation.mez file to this folder.

2. Configure Security Settings

   1. Open Power BI Desktop

   2. Navigate to: File → Options and settings → Options → Security

   3. In the "Data Extension" section, select: Allow any extension to load without validation or warning

   4. 
   5. Click OK and restart Power BI Desktop

Loading Data with the Connector

1. Access the Connector

• In Power BI Desktop, go to Home → Get Data

  
• In the Get Data window, search for "meshX Foundation"

  
• Select the meshX Foundation connector and click "Connect"

1. Handle Security Warnings

• Power BI may display a preview connector warning

• Select "Don't warn me again with this connector" and click "Continue"

  

1. Configure Connection

• In the meshX Connector configuration window:

  • Foundation dropdown: Select the appropriate Foundation instance (e.g., "Demo")

  • Organization field: Enter your account name (e.g., "demo")

  • Note: If you are connecting to a custom foundation instance not listed in Foundation dropdown in your connector version - use details that were shared by meshX team with the connector file.

    
  • Click "OK"

1. Authenticate

• Depending on your access mode, you can use one of the following options:

  • OAuth - Click the "Sign in" button. A pop-up window with the Foundation login screen will appear. Sign in using your credentials as you would on the Foundation UI.

    

    
  • Direct Access - If you have direct Foundation access (without Auth0) or if you are using an access key pair, provide them in the displayed input fields.

    • Click "Connect"

    

1. Select Data Products

• Browse the list of applications and their connected data products

  
• Select the data products you want to load

• Click "Load"