# Connect Power BI Desktop to SingleStore

In addition to navigation-based data ingestion, Power BI also supports native database queries for the SingleStore connector which enables you to build reports using native SQL queries. To ingest data using a native SQL query, enter the query in the Native query box while configuring the connection.

Refer to [Import data from a database using native database query](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-query/native-database-query) for related information.

> **📝 Note**: Existing reports created using the `SingleStoreODBC.Query` connector function call continue to be supported. SingleStore recommends using native database queries for new reports.

To create a report in [Power BI Desktop](https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/desktop/):

1. In the **Home** ribbon, select **Get Data > More**.

2. In the **Get Data** dialog, select **SingleStore Direct Query Connector**.

3. In the connection configuration dialog, enter or select the following:

   * **Server**: Enter the IP address or the hostname of the SingleStore workspace.
   * **Database**: Enter the name of the SingleStore database to connect with.
   * **Data Connectivity mode**: Select **Import** or **DirectQuery**.
   * (Optional) To ingest data using a native database query, enter the SQL query in the **Native query** box.

4. Select **OK**.

5. In the connector dialog, in the left pane, select **Basic**. Enter the username and password used to connect to SingleStore Helios, and select **Connect**.
   > **📝 Note**: SingleStore Helios users can only use **Basic** authentication.

6. After authentication, perform one of the following:

   * **For navigation-based data import**: Select the tables to import in the **Navigator** dialog.

     ![](https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltac01ee6daa3a1e14/blt8379c13c32c4f7cc/6a3ebbae78200b5b41896c91/16083b578b4dbc-d17VQJ.png)
   * **For native database query**: Verify the results in the preview.

7. Select **Load**. Alternatively, you can select **Transform Data** to apply transformations before loading the data.

You can now use Power BI Desktop to explore your data.

To update the existing reports, select the **Refresh** button on the Home ribbon.

## Limitations of Native Database Queries

* To create a custom SQL report using the connector, the user must only have read-only access to the SingleStore Helios databases.
* DDL queries are not supported.
* If the SQL query is specified outside the connector dialog (the connection configuration step), Power BI may prompt you to approve the query for your credentials.

Refer to [Limitations and issues](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-query/native-database-query#limitations-and-issues) for more information.

## Modify Credentials

To modify the credentials used to connect to SingleStore Helios.:

1. In the **File** ribbon, select **Options and settings > Data source settings**.

2. In the **Data source settings** dialog, select the connector, and then select **Edit Permissions**.

***

Modified at: March 16, 2026

Source: [/cloud/query-data/connect-with-analytics-and-bi-tools/connect-with-power-bi/connect-power-bi-desktop-to-singlestore/](https://docs.singlestore.com/cloud/query-data/connect-with-analytics-and-bi-tools/connect-with-power-bi/connect-power-bi-desktop-to-singlestore/)

(An index of the documentation is available at /llms.txt)