How to Connect MySQL to Power BI

How do I connect MySQL to Power BI without errors?

Connect MySQL to Power BI allows you to visualize and analyze MySQL data directly within Microsoft Power BI using built-in connectors or ODBC drivers.

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Description

Why link MySQL with Power BI?

Direct connectivity lets analysts refresh reports without manual exports, reuse existing SQL, and keep ecommerce dashboards near-real-time—saving hours of ETL work.

Which driver should I install?

Download and install the 64-bit MySQL Connector/NET 8.0 or MySQL ODBC 8.0 driver to match your Power BI edition. The connector supplies the DLLs Power BI calls under the hood.

How do I create the connection in Power BI?

1. Open Power BI Desktop → Home → Get data → More.
2. Choose “MySQL database.”
3. Enter server name (host:port) and optional database.
4. Expand “Advanced options” to paste a custom SQL statement (e.g., SELECT * FROM Orders).
5. Select “Import” for static data or “DirectQuery” for live queries.
6. Pick “Database” authentication, add username & password, then Connect.

What permissions are required?

The MySQL user must have SELECT on target schemas. Grant minimal rights:
GRANT SELECT ON ecommerce.* TO 'bi_user'@'%' IDENTIFIED BY 'strong_pwd';

How to schedule refreshes?

Publish the report to the Power BI Service → Datasets → Settings → Scheduled refresh. Supply gateway credentials pointing at the same MySQL server or use the cloud connector if firewall rules allow.

Can I use custom SQL?

Yes. In “Advanced options,” paste any valid query—joins, CTEs, UNION. Power BI folds only supported syntax, so test queries in MySQL Workbench first.

Sample ecommerce dashboard workflow

1. Write a view summarizing revenue:
CREATE OR REPLACE VIEW v_daily_sales AS SELECT order_date, SUM(total_amount) AS revenue FROM Orders GROUP BY order_date;
2. Connect Power BI to MySQL → Select v_daily_sales.
3. Build a line chart of order_date vs. revenue.

Best practices for large databases?

Use DirectQuery, push filters through parameters, index frequently filtered columns (e.g., Orders.order_date), and avoid SELECT * in custom SQL.

What are common connection errors?

• “MySQL Database Error: Connector not installed” ⇒ Install 64-bit Connector/NET.
• “Unable to connect: SSL required” ⇒ Enable “Use SSL” and provide CA cert.
• “Details: Value cannot be null” ⇒ Mismatch between driver architecture and Power BI edition.

Why How to Connect MySQL to Power BI is important

How to Connect MySQL to Power BI Example Usage


SELECT o.id,
       c.name         AS customer,
       o.order_date,
       p.name         AS product,
       oi.quantity,
       (oi.quantity * p.price) AS line_total
FROM Orders o
JOIN Customers   c ON c.id=o.customer_id
JOIN OrderItems oi ON oi.order_id=o.id
JOIN Products    p ON p.id=oi.product_id
WHERE o.order_date >= DATE_SUB(CURDATE(), INTERVAL 30 DAY);

How to Connect MySQL to Power BI Syntax


Power BI Desktop ➜ Get data ➜ MySQL database
Parameters:
  • Server: <host>[:port]  (e.g., db.company.com:3306)
  • Database: <schema>     (optional)
  • SQL statement: <query> (Advanced options)
  • Connectivity mode: Import | DirectQuery
  • Command timeout: seconds (Advanced options)
  • Authentication kind: Windows | Database | Microsoft account
Example (Import):
  Server          : prod-db:3306
  Database        : ecommerce
  SQL statement   : SELECT c.name, SUM(oi.quantity*p.price) AS spend
                    FROM Customers c
                    JOIN Orders o  ON o.customer_id=c.id
                    JOIN OrderItems oi ON oi.order_id=o.id
                    JOIN Products p ON p.id=oi.product_id
                    GROUP BY c.name;

Common Mistakes

Skipping the 64-bit MySQL connector installation. Power BI cannot load 32-bit DLLs, so install the matching 64-bit Connector/NET 8.0 and restart.
Mixing driver architectures—Power BI x64 with x86 ODBC causes “Value cannot be null” errors. Always match 64-bit to 64-bit or 32-bit to 32-bit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need an on-premises data gateway?

Yes, when your MySQL server is inside a private network. Install the gateway on a machine that can reach MySQL and register the data source with the same credentials.

Can Power BI push parameters to MySQL?

Yes. Create M parameters in Power Query and reference them in the SQL statement, e.g., WHERE order_date >= ?. Power BI will prompt users at refresh time.

Is DirectQuery slower than Import?

DirectQuery sends every filter back to MySQL, so performance depends on indexes and network latency. Use Import for heavy aggregations; reserve DirectQuery for near-real-time needs.