Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst AssociateDeploy and maintain assetsMedium
A data analyst has published a Power BI report to a workspace and enabled a scheduled refresh for its dataset. The dataset's data source is an Azure SQL Database. The analyst receives an alert indicating that the scheduled refresh has failed due to 'Invalid credentials'. What is the MOST likely cause of this issue?
- AThe dataset is too large to be refreshed on the scheduled interval.
- BThe credentials stored in the Power BI service for the data source have expired or are incorrect.
- CThe Power BI service principal used for refresh lacks permissions on the Azure SQL Database.
- DThe Azure SQL Database firewall is blocking Power BI service IP addresses.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The credentials stored in the Power BI service for the data source have expired or are incorrect.
A 'Invalid credentials' error during a scheduled refresh almost always indicates that the username, password, or other authentication details stored in the Power BI service for the data source are no longer valid. This could be due to a password change, expiration, or incorrect entry.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A dataset being too large would typically cause a 'timeout' or 'capacity limit exceeded' error, not an 'Invalid credentials' error.
- C. While service principal permissions are important, an 'Invalid credentials' error specifically points to the stored authentication details, not necessarily the service principal's broader access.
- D. A firewall blocking would typically result in a 'cannot connect' or 'timeout' error, not specifically 'Invalid credentials'.
Power BI Data Source Credential Errors
An 'Invalid credentials' error during Power BI dataset refresh typically means the stored authentication details (username, password, API key, etc.) for the data source are incorrect or have expired.
- Directly relates to stored authentication
- Common for password changes/expirations
- Requires updating credentials in Power BI service
Memory trick: An invalid key means the data door won't open.