How to Get Data in Power BI Service: Data Sources, Excel Upload, and Import Options

Posted by

September 21, 2026

On January 20, 2026

Introduction

Power BI Service is not only a platform for sharing reports and dashboards; it also allows users to connect directly to multiple data sources without using Power BI Desktop. This capability is especially useful for quick reporting, cloud-based data access, and collaborative environments.

This guide explains how to get data directly in Power BI Service, explores the available data source categories, and walks through importing Excel files step by step. You will also learn the difference between importing Excel data as a dataset versus uploading it as a workbook, helping you choose the right option for your reporting needs.

Getting Data Directly in Power BI Service

In Power BI Service, you can get data from multiple sources just like Power BI Desktop. While Power BI Service provides an ample number of sources to connect to, however, it has a downside as it does not have the inbuilt Query Editor for cleaning and transforming data. Data can be obtained from four different sources by clicking on Create of the left tab.

Get Data Options in Power BI Service

After clicking the Create tab, the Get Data window opens, showing multiple categories of data sources to connect to different systems.

File

This is an old school method of browsing and uploading files from your local computer, SharePoint or OneDrive.

· Database

This option gives the ability to connect to live databases either in the cloud (Azure, Spark, SQL, etc.) or on-premises environments (SQL Server, Oracle, etc.).

· Microsoft Fabric

Provides access to Fabric Lakehouse, Warehouse, and Dataflows, enabling advanced analytics, big data processing, and centralized data management.

· Power Platform

Includes Dataverse and other services like Power Apps and Power Automate, allowing integration with business process and application data.

· Azure

Connects to Microsoft cloud data services such as Azure SQL Database, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Lake, and Azure Blob Storage, supporting scalable, secure analytics in the cloud.

· Online Services

Online Services provides a marketplace of SaaS (Software as a Service) to which Power BI can seamlessly connect.

Converting Excel File to a Table

Let’s get the data in Power BI Service from the Excel file. Before the Excel data can be imported into Power BI Service, it must be converted to a table.

Open your existing Excel file. Here, we’ll be working with Car Sales.xlsx.
Select the data range to be converted into table.
Click Insert > Format as Table.

Check option ‘My table has headers.’

Save the file on the desktop.

You just converted a data range in Excel into a table.

Importing/Uploading Excel File in Power BI Service

Excel file can be imported to Power BI Service via the Get Data option.

To load Excel:

Navigate to the bottom left of the screen.
Click Get Data > Excel workbook.
Browse to select the Car Sales.xlsx file from the computer.

You get two options as mentioned below:

Import Excel Data into Power BI:– This option creates a dataset and gives you all the visuals, fields, and formatting options and lets you create Reports and Dashboards.
Upload your Excel File to Power BI:– This option uploads Excel file as a workbook which can be viewed or interacted with just like Excel online.

After uploading the Excel file, click Next. The Excel tables will be displayed, where you can select the required table and proceed to create your report.

Conclusion

Power BI Service offers a flexible and efficient way to connect directly to data sources, making it easier to build and share insights without relying entirely on Power BI Desktop. While it lacks the built-in Query Editor, it compensates with strong connectivity to cloud services, Excel files, and enterprise data platforms.

This guide explains Power BI Service data connectivity clearly, helping learners and professionals streamline their reporting workflows.

FAQs

Can I get data directly in Power BI Service without using Power BI Desktop?

Yes. Power BI Service allows you to connect to multiple data sources directly using the Create > Get Data option.

Why must Excel data be converted to a table before importing?

Power BI requires Excel data to be in a table format to properly recognize columns, headers, and relationships.

What is the difference between importing and uploading an Excel file?

Import Excel Data creates a dataset and allows report and dashboard creation.
Upload Excel File keeps the file as a workbook for online viewing and interaction only.

Can I create reports after importing Excel data?

Yes. When Excel data is imported, you can create reports and dashboards using Power BI visuals and fields.

Further Learning and Resources

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