# Connect with Power BI

You can create interactive dashboards and analysis reports from your SingleStore cluster's data in Power BI.

Power BI supports two SingleStore connector distribution channels: Microsoft-certified connector and [SingleStore Power BI bundle](https://github.com/singlestore-labs/power-bi-connector/releases/latest) from GitHub. Select the distribution channel that meets the requirements. Refer to [Distribution Channels](https://docs.singlestore.com/#section-id235815502172577.md) for more information.

## Prerequisites

* Download and install the latest version of [Power BI Desktop](https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/desktop/).
  > **📝 Note**: The SingleStore Direct Query connector only supports 64-bit versions of Power BI.
* Follow the instructions in [Distribution Channels](https://docs.singlestore.com/#section-id235815502172577.md) to set up the SingleStore connector.

## Distribution Channels

Use the distribution channel that best meets your requirements:

* [Microsoft-Certified connector](https://docs.singlestore.com/#section-id235815503128304.md): Use the connector version included with Power BI Desktop.
* [SingleStore Power BI Bundle from GitHub](https://docs.singlestore.com/#section-id235815503269672.md): Use this channel when the latest connector version, bug fixes, or features are required before Microsoft incorporates them into a Power BI release.

## Microsoft-Certified Connector

The Microsoft-certified SingleStore connector is included with Power BI Desktop. The connector version included with Power BI may lag behind the latest connector release available from SingleStore. Connector updates become available when Microsoft incorporates them into a Power BI release.

To use the Microsoft-certified connector:

1. Install or update to the latest version of Power BI Desktop.

2. Ensure that a (SingleStore) custom connector is not installed on the machine. Otherwise, Power BI may load the custom connector instead of the Microsoft-certified built-in connector. If a custom connector is installed:

   1. Uninstall the SingleStore Power BI bundle if it is installed.

   2. Remove any residual custom connector files, such as `.mez` files, from the **%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Microsoft Power BI Desktop\Custom Connectors** folder.

3. Download and install the latest version of [The SingleStore ODBC Driver](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.0/developer-resources/connect-with-application-development-tools/connect-with-odbc/the-singlestore-odbc-driver.md).

4. Restart Power BI Desktop.

The SingleStore ODBC driver is the only component that requires separate installation. The connector itself is included with Power BI Desktop.

## SingleStore Power BI Bundle from GitHub

To use the latest version of the SingleStore Power BI connector, download and run the latest SingleStore Power BI bundle installer from [GitHub](https://github.com/singlestore-labs/power-bi-connector/releases/latest). Users do not need to install the SingleStore ODBC driver separately when installing the GitHub bundle. The bundle installs both of the following:

* The latest supported SingleStore Power BI connector, and
* The corresponding SingleStore ODBC driver.

> **📝 Note**: The connector distributed through GitHub is a custom connector and is not Microsoft-certified.

Because the GitHub-distributed connector is a custom Power BI connector, configure Power BI Desktop to load custom connectors:

1. In Power BI Desktop, select **File > Options and settings > Options > Security**.

2. Under **Data Extensions**, select **(Not Recommended) Allow any extension to load without validation or warning**.

3. Select **OK**.

4. Restart Power BI Desktop.

## Switch Between Distribution Channels

## Switch from the Microsoft-Certified Connector to the Custom Connector (GitHub Bundle)

1. Download the latest SingleStore Power BI bundle from [GitHub](https://github.com/singlestore-labs/power-bi-connector/releases/latest).

2. Run the bundle installer. It installs both the connector and the SingleStore ODBC driver.

3. Configure Power BI Desktop to allow custom connectors; follow the instructions in [SingleStore Power BI Bundle from GitHub](https://docs.singlestore.com/#section-id235815503269672.md).

4. Restart Power BI Desktop.

## Switch from the Custom Connector (GitHub Bundle) to the Microsoft-Certified Connector

1. Uninstall the SingleStore Power BI bundle.

2. Verify that all the SingleStore custom-connector files are removed from the **%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Microsoft Power BI Desktop\Custom Connectors** folder.

3. Download and install the latest version of [The SingleStore ODBC Driver](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.0/developer-resources/connect-with-application-development-tools/connect-with-odbc/the-singlestore-odbc-driver.md).

4. Restart Power BI Desktop.

## Related Topics

* [SingleStore Direct Query Connector for Power BI](https://github.com/singlestore-labs/power-bi-connector) GitHub repository
* [The SingleStore ODBC Driver](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.0/developer-resources/connect-with-application-development-tools/connect-with-odbc/the-singlestore-odbc-driver.md)

## In this section

* [Data Connectivity Modes](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.0/query-data/connect-with-analytics-and-bi-tools/connect-with-power-bi/data-connectivity-modes.md)
* [Connect Power BI Desktop to SingleStore](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.0/query-data/connect-with-analytics-and-bi-tools/connect-with-power-bi/connect-power-bi-desktop-to-singlestore.md)
* [Connect Power BI Service to SingleStore via Power BI Gateway](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.0/query-data/connect-with-analytics-and-bi-tools/connect-with-power-bi/connect-power-bi-service-to-singlestore-via-power-bi-gateway.md)

***

Modified at: September 30, 2026

Source: [/db/v9.0/query-data/connect-with-analytics-and-bi-tools/connect-with-power-bi/](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.0/query-data/connect-with-analytics-and-bi-tools/connect-with-power-bi/)

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