Published Date -

October 6, 2025

Connecting SharePoint with Power BI for Data-Driven Dashboards

In today’s digital era, businesses rely on SharePoint for collaboration and data management. However, SharePoint alone cannot provide advanced analytics. By connecting SharePoint with Power BI, organizations can transform static lists and documents into interactive, data-driven dashboards that drive smarter decision-making.

Why Connect SharePoint with Power BI?

Integrating SharePoint and Power BI offers several advantages:

Centralized Data Access: Use SharePoint as a single source of truth and visualize it in Power BI.
Real-Time Insights: Keep dashboards updated with automated refreshes.
Better Decision-Making: Convert raw SharePoint data into meaningful visualizations.
Microsoft Ecosystem Integration: Both tools seamlessly connect with Office 365 and Azure.

How to Connect SharePoint with Power BI

1. Connect SharePoint Lists to Power BI

SharePoint lists often hold structured project or business data.

Steps to connect:

1. Open Power BI Desktop → Get Data.

2. Select SharePoint Online List.

3. Enter your SharePoint site URL (e.g., https://company.sharepoint.com/sites/project).

4. Sign in with organizational credentials.

5. Load the required lists into Power BI.

Best for: task management, issue tracking, and HR records.

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2. Connect SharePoint Document Libraries (Excel, CSV)

If data is stored in SharePoint libraries (e.g., Excel or CSV files):

1. Copy the file or library URL.

2. In Power BI, choose Get Data → Web.

3. Paste the direct file link (make sure it ends with .xlsx or .csv).

4. Authenticate and load data.

Connect SharePoint Document Libraries-Excel-CSV

Best for: reports, KPIs, and financial data stored in Excel.

3. Automate Data Refresh in Power BI Service

After publishing your report:

Go to Power BI Service → Datasets → Settings.
Configure Scheduled Refresh.
Ensure the SharePoint connection uses Organizational Account.

This ensures your dashboards always display the latest SharePoint data.

Automate Data Refresh in Power BI Service

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Best Practices for Power BI and SharePoint Integration

Clean Data in SharePoint: Keep column names consistent.
Pull Only What You Need: Filter lists to improve performance.
Use Role-Based Security: Power BI respects SharePoint permissions.
Combine Multiple Sources: Blend SharePoint with SQL, Excel, or cloud apps for deeper insights.

Real-World Use Cases

Project Management Dashboard: Monitor deadlines, risks, and milestones.
HR Analytics Dashboard: Track employee onboarding, training, and leave records.
Operations Dashboard: Manage support tickets, issue trackers, and compliance data.

Conclusion

Connecting SharePoint with Power BI empowers businesses to turn everyday data into actionable insights. Whether for project tracking, HR analytics, or operations, this integration helps teams make data-driven decisions faster and smarter.

Start integrating your SharePoint lists and document libraries with Power BI today and unlock the full potential of your organizational data.

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faqS

What is the benefit of connecting SharePoint with Power BI?

Connecting SharePoint with Power BI allows organizations to turn static lists and documents into interactive dashboards. This integration provides real-time insights, centralized data access, and better decision-making across teams.

How can I connect a SharePoint list to Power BI?

You can connect a SharePoint list to Power BI by opening Power BI Desktop, selecting Get Data → SharePoint Online List, entering your site URL, signing in, and loading the required list. This is ideal for task management, HR records, or project tracking.

Can I connect SharePoint document libraries like Excel or CSV to Power BI?

Yes. Copy the file URL from your SharePoint library, use Get Data → Web in Power BI, paste the link, authenticate, and load the data. This works well for KPIs, financial reports, and other structured data.

How do I automate data refresh between SharePoint and Power BI?

After publishing your report, go to Power BI Service → Datasets → Settings and configure Scheduled Refresh using an Organizational Account. This ensures dashboards always display the latest SharePoint data.

Which Power BI dashboard types work best with SharePoint data?

Popular dashboards include project management dashboards, HR analytics dashboards, and operations dashboards. These visualizations convert raw SharePoint data into actionable insights that teams can rely on daily.

Can SharePoint permissions be applied in Power BI dashboards?

Yes. Power BI respects SharePoint’s role-based security, ensuring that users only see the data they are authorized to access.

What are best practices for integrating SharePoint with Power BI?

• Keep SharePoint lists clean and consistent • Pull only the necessary columns for performance • Combine SharePoint data with other sources like SQL or Excel for richer insights • Use role-based security to maintain data governance