Data Source Settings

Following our previous exploration on connecting a flat file to Power BI, as detailed in our "Connect Data from Files in Power BI" blog post, we successfully linked the 'Financial Sample' file to Power BI, resulting in a dataset named ‘financials’ in our Data area. However, what happens when there's a need to relocate this file? Moving the file without proper steps can lead to errors. This blog will guide you through the process of updating the file path in Power BI's data source settings to prevent any disruption in your data analysis.

Scenario

Suppose you need to move your 'Financial Sample' file to a new location. Simply relocating the file causes Power BI to lose track of its source, as illustrated by the following error:

To resolve the issue, we will have to change the file path.

Accessing Data Source Settings

There are two primary methods to access the data source settings in Power BI:

Via 'Transform Data' Option:

• Click on the ‘Transform data’ text in the Home section and than Data Source setting

Directly Through the Power Query Editor:

• Click on the ‘Transform data icon’ which will open a power Query editor.

Updating the File Path

Once in the data source settings, follow these steps to update the file path:

1. Select the Data Source: Find the data source you want to modify from the list.

2. Change Source: Click on the ‘Change Source’ button.

3. Update Path: In the prompted window, update the file path to the new location of your 'Financial Sample' file.

4. Apply Changes: Confirm the new path and apply the changes.

This process ensures that Power BI can seamlessly continue to access and analyze your data, even after the file has been moved to a new location.

Bonus Tip: Changing File Path from the Source Menu

In the Power Query Editor, there's an additional method to change the file path:

• In the 'Applied Steps' section on the right, locate the 'Source' step.

• Clicking on the settings icon next to 'Source' allows you to directly modify the file path.

• This method is a quick alternative to updating file paths, especially useful for minor adjustments.

Flow chart

Conclusion

Understanding how to navigate and adjust data source settings in Power BI is crucial for maintaining the integrity and continuity of your data analysis. This guide provides a straightforward method to update your file paths, ensuring uninterrupted access to your vital data sources.

Further Assistance

For additional information and advanced techniques, please refer to the Power BI documentation.

We welcome your experiences and insights regarding data source management in Power BI. Share your thoughts in the comments section or reach out for more in-depth discussions!