The PL-300 Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst exam is all about demonstrating your comprehensive understanding of Power BI ecosystem. One of the critical areas in this exam is the configuration and management of data source settings including credentials, privacy levels, data sources locations in Power BI. In this post, we will explore how to handle these settings effectively.

Table of Contents

Data Source Settings in Power BI

Data source settings play a critical role in the import of data into the Power BI from various sources. The data source settings can be accessed by navigating through the menu option – File -> Options and Settings -> Data Source Settings. Once you click on this, you will get a pop-up window where you can see the list of all the data sources that have been used in the reports. For each entry on this list, you can view or change the data source information, clear permissions or edit permissions.

Credentials in Power BI

Credentials in Power BI refer to the authentication process which ensures security when connecting to the various data sources. Different types of credentials including Windows, Database, Microsoft account, Anonymous, Basic (username/ password), Key, OAuth2, Organizational account, etc., can be used in Power BI.

You can edit the stored credentials. To do this, click on the datasource and then click on Edit Permissions button present in the data source settings window, where you can change the credentials.

Privacy Levels

Privacy levels in Power BI helps to protect your data when it is combined with data from other sources. Four privacy levels are there in Power BI: Public, Organizational, Private and None.

The privacy levels can also be set or changed in the data source settings window, while changing the configuration of the data source. Click on the data source and then click on the Edit Permission button, select the privacy level as per your requirement.

Data Source Locations

Data source locations reference the location from where the data is being fetched. The data source locations can be both local and online locations including SQL Server, Excel, Web, SharePoint, etc.

In conclusion, understanding and being adept at managing data source settings is crucial for a Power BI data analyst. This competency includes efficiently handling privacy levels, credentials and data sources locations. With regular practice and application of these features, you can enhance your skillset and ace the PL-300 Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Exam.

Practice Test

True or False: In Power BI, you can change the data source settings, including credentials, privacy levels, and data source locations.

  • Answer: True

Explanation: Power BI Data Analysts can update or change the data source settings, including the credentials used for the data source, the data privacy levels, and the database or server name where the data source is located.

What does changing the data source settings involve in Power BI?

  • A. Modifying the server name
  • B. Updating resource credentials
  • C. Adjusting the data source privacy levels
  • D. All of the above

Answer: D. All of the above

Explanation: Changing the data source settings in Power BI involves all these aspects for a more secure, efficient, and accurate data collection and analysis.

True or False: The privacy level settings in Power BI can prevent combining data from different sources.

  • Answer: True

Explanation: The privacy level settings define how Power BI treats data from different sources. The privacy levels control whether the data is allowed to be combined with other data sources.

How many privacy levels are there in Power BI?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Answer: B. Three

Explanation: There are three privacy levels in Power BI: Public, Organizational, and Private.

True or False: You cannot change the data source location in Power BI after the initial configuration.

  • Answer: False

Explanation: Power BI allows you to change the data source location after the initial configuration. You may need to do this, for example, if your data source has moved.

Which of the following Power Query options allows you to manage your data source settings?

  • A. Data source settings
  • B. Options
  • C. Data source credentials
  • D. None of the above

Answer: A. Data source settings

Explanation: The “Data source settings” option in Power Query allows you to manage your data source settings, including credentials, privacy levels, and data source locations.

True or False: Updating the credentials for a data source in Power BI necessitates republishing all reports using data from that source.

  • Answer: False

Explanation: Updating the credentials for a data source in Power BI does not require republishing all reports using data from that source. The new credentials are used across all existing reports and data flows.

Power BI’s ‘None’ data privacy level signifies which of the following:

  • A. Data can’t be combined with any other sources
  • B. Data can be combined without restriction
  • C. No data is used from the source
  • D. Only public data can be combined

Answer: B. Data can be combined without restriction

Explanation: The ‘None’ privacy level in Power BI means that data doesn’t have data privacy restrictions and can be combined with other sources without limitation.

Which of the following are methods to change data source settings in Power BI?(Select all that apply)

  • A. Through Power Query Editor
  • B. Through the Power BI Desktop ‘Options’ menu
  • C. Through the ‘Manage Credentials’ option in Data Source Settings
  • D. Through Power BI Report Builder

Answer: A. Through Power Query Editor, B. Through the Power BI Desktop ‘Options’ menu, C. Through the ‘Manage Credentials’ option in Data Source Settings

Explanation: Power Query Editor, ‘Options’ in Power BI desktop, and ‘Manage Credentials’ in the Data Source Settings are all ways to change existing data source settings.

True or False: It is impossible to change a published dataset’s privacy level in Power BI.

  • Answer: True

Explanation: Once a dataset is published, its privacy level cannot be changed in Power BI. To change the privacy level, the dataset must be modified in Power BI Desktop and republished.

Interview Questions

How do you change the data source settings in Power BI?

To change the data source settings in Power BI, go to ‘File’, then ‘Options and settings’, and finally ‘Data source settings’. Here you can modify the data source as required.

In Power BI, where can you manage data source credentials?

In Power BI, you can manage data source credentials by navigating to ‘File’, then ‘Options and settings’, and finally ‘Data source settings’. Here you can modify the credentials used for each existing data source.

Can you change the data source location after it has been set up in Power BI?

Yes, you can change the data source location after it has been set up in Power BI. This is done by going to ‘File’, then ‘Options and settings’, and finally ‘Data source settings’.

How do you specify the Privacy level setting for a Data Source in Power BI?

The Privacy level setting for a Data Source in Power BI can be specified in the ‘Data source settings’. Navigate to ‘File’, then ‘Options and settings’, and finally ‘Data source settings’. Select the data source and then choose the needed privacy level.

What are the possible Privacy levels one can assign to a data source in Power BI?

The possible Privacy levels in Power BI are Public, Organizational, and Private. Public level data can be combined with any other data. Organizational level data can only be combined with other data from within the same organization. Private level data always stays private and can’t be combined with any other data.

In what cases do I need to enter credentials for a data source in Power BI?

Credentials for a data source in Power BI are required whenever the data source is not in the public domain, for example, databases within an organization or cloud storage that requires an account for access.

How can I change the Privacy level for a data source in Power BI?

The Privacy level for a data source in Power BI can be changed within the ‘Options and settings’ section under ‘File’. Go to ‘Data source settings’, select the data source, and there you can change the Privacy level.

Can you tell what does the error “Formula.Firewall” signify in Power BI?

The “Formula.Firewall” error usually appears when Power BI cannot ensure the privacy of a data source. This typically happens when you’re trying to combine data from sources with different privacy levels.

How to refresh and manage the data source in Power BI?

You can refresh and manage a data source in Power BI by going to the ‘Options and settings’ which is located under the ‘File’ menu. Select ‘Data source settings’, and there you’ll have the option to refresh the connection and manage the data source.

What is the effect of changing the data source location in Power BI?

Changing the data source location in Power BI essentially updates the path telling Power BI where to find the data. This can be used if the data has been moved to a new location, like a new server or folder.

How do you ensure data source credentials are not required every time you access the data?

To ensure data source credentials are not required every time, you can save the credentials in Power BI. Navigate to ‘File’, then ‘Options and settings’, and finally ‘Data source settings’ and enter your credentials for the data source.

How can obsolete data sources be removed in Power BI?

Obsolete data sources can be removed in Power BI by navigating to ‘File’, then ‘Options and settings’, and finally ‘Data source settings’. In this tab, select the data source you want to remove and click ‘Delete’.

In which scenarios would you need to change privacy levels of the data source in Power BI?

You may need to change the privacy levels of data sources in Power BI in scenarios where you are accessing sensitive data that should not be combined with other data, or if you are using data that is not organizationally confidential and can be combined with other data.

Can Privacy levels be assigned to each table separately in Power BI?

No, privacy levels in Power BI are assigned to each data source, not individual tables.

What is the purpose of the Permissions tab in the data source settings?

The purpose of the Permissions tab is to control user access to the data sources. Depending on the data source type, you can either choose Windows or Database authentication methods.

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