How to Add a Connection in Power BI
- George Apostolov
How to Add a Connection in Power BI: step-by-step guide
Launch Power BI and go to the 'Home' tab. Click the 'Get Data' button.
You’ll see popular options or click 'More...' to browse all available connectors.
Choose the source you want to connect to. Power BI will prompt you to add a file. Choose the file and click 'Open'.
Once connected, Power BI shows a preview of the tables or data available.
Select the data you want, click 'Load' to bring it in.
Once connected, you can pull the data into Power BI and start building visuals.
Quick answer: To add a connection in Power BI, go to the Home tab and click Get Data. Browse or select your source, choose your file, and click Open. Finally, preview the available tables, select the data you want, and click Load to pull it in and start building visuals.
About this Power BI tutorial
Connect your data sources in Power BI by selecting Get Data, choosing your file, and loading tables to build visuals. This guide shows how to add a Connection in Power BI in 6 steps, starting with "Launch Power BI and go to the 'Home' tab. Click the 'Get Data' button" and finishing with "Once connected, you can pull the data into Power BI and start building visuals". The interactive demo above is a click-through copy of the real Power BI interface, so you can rehearse each step before doing it in your own account.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps does it take to add a Connection in Power BI?
6 steps. Each one is listed in order above, and the demo highlights exactly where to click.
Can I try it without changing my own account?
Yes. Clicking through the demo doesn't touch your Power BI data or settings. Once you know the flow, repeat it in your own workspace.
This tutorial is filed under Power BI. Related guides: How to Add a Custom Visual in Power BI, How to Add Data Source in Power BI and How to Add a Date Column in Power BI. Last reviewed 05 Oct 2026.
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