Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst AssociatePrepare the dataMedium
A data analyst is connecting to an on-premises SQL Server database to retrieve sales data. The database is secured, and the analyst needs to provide specific credentials (username and password) to access the data. Which Power Query authentication method should the analyst choose to connect to this database?
- AOrganizational account
- BDatabase
- CAnonymous
- DWindows
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Database
The 'Database' authentication method allows you to directly enter a specific username and password for the SQL Server database, which is required when Windows authentication is not being used or is insufficient for the specific database user.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Organizational account (e.g., Azure AD) is for cloud services and would not typically apply to an on-premises SQL Server requiring specific database credentials.
- C. Anonymous authentication is for public web sources and would not work for a secured SQL Server database.
- D. Windows authentication uses the current Windows login credentials, which might not be the specific database credentials required.
Database Authentication (Power Query)
A Power Query authentication method used to connect to data sources (like SQL Server) by directly providing a specific username and password that are managed within the database system itself, rather than relying on Windows or cloud-based identities.
- Requires explicit username and password for the database.
- Used when Windows authentication is not applicable or preferred.
- Common for on-premises relational databases.
Memory trick: Authentication is like showing your ID; choose the right one for the gatekeeper.