# Microsoft Power BI

With DataCamp Data Connector 2.0, it's easy to analyze your data in Microsoft Power BI. All you need to do is set up a connection using the PowerBI Athena Connector and configure it using the [credentials](https://enterprise-docs.datacamp.com/integrating-our-data-into-your-tools-via-data-connector-2.0/getting-started-with-data-connector-2.0/your-credentials) you can retrieve in the Groups tab.

{% hint style="info" %}
This guide assumes you are using Power BI Desktop on Windows
{% endhint %}

Complete these two steps to view your learning data in Power BI.

1. [Set up an ODBC Data Source](#set-up-an-ocbc-data-source)
2. [Set up the Power BI Athena Connector](#set-up-the-power-bi-athena-connector)

Start with our plug-and-play Power BI template

* [Power BI Dashboard Template](#power-bi-dashboard-template)

### Set up an ODBC Data Source

First, you must install the necessary drivers and configure a Data Source in Windows.

**Step 1:**  Download and install the ODBC driver

Go to <https://docs.aws.amazon.com/athena/latest/ug/connect-with-odbc.html> and download & install the v1 driver for your operating system. (Remember which version (32 or 64 bit) you chose!)

**Step 2:** Configure your ODBC Data Source

{% hint style="info" %}
Make sure you have collected your credentials as described in [Your credentials](https://enterprise-docs.datacamp.com/integrating-our-data-into-your-tools-via-data-connector-2.0/getting-started-with-data-connector-2.0/your-credentials).
{% endhint %}

1. Open the **ODBC Data Sources** application on your Windows machine (choose the version that aligns with the driver you installed, either 32 or 64 bit)
2. Select the **Drivers** tab and verify there is a **Simba Athena ODBC Drive**r entry in the list; if there isn't, you haven't installed the driver properly
3. Select the **System DSN** tab
4. Click the **Add** button
5. Select **Simba Athena ODBC driver** as Data Source
6. The **Simba Athena ODBC Driver DSN Setup** dialog will now open.\
   Enter the following data on the **Simba Setup** dialog:
   1. Data Source Name: Free to choose (e.g., `DataCamp Data Connector`)\
      \&#xNAN;*Choose an easy name here; you'll need this to set up your connection in Power BI*
   2. Description: optional; you can leave it blank
   3. AWS Region: the **AWS** **Region** from your credentials
   4. Catalog: AwsDataCatalog
   5. Schema: default
   6. Workgroup: primary
   7. Metadata Retrieval Method: Auto
   8. S3 Output location: `s3://{bucketname}/tmp-powerbi` → *replace* `{bucketname}` *with the **S3 Bucket Name** from your credentials*
   9. Encryption Options: NOT\_SET
   10. Endpoint Override: empty
   11. Streaming Endpoint Override: empty
7. Click **Authentication Options** (don't close the dialog yet!)
   1. Authentication Type: IAM Credentials
   2. Username: the **AWS** **Access Key ID** from your credentials
   3. Password: the **AWS** **Secret Access Key** from your credentials
   4. Click the **OK** button
8. Click **Test**
9. If everything is configured correctly, this should result in a "SUCCESS" message.
10. Click **OK**

The list of items under the **System DSN** tab should now contain your newly created Data Source.

You can close the ODBC application now and start Power BI.

🎉 Your Data Source is successfully set up! Let's move on to the next part.

### Set up the Power BI Athena Connector

{% hint style="warning" %}
Make sure you restart Power BI if you had it running before you set up your Data Source.
{% endhint %}

In Power BI Desktop, click the **Get Data** button on the Home ribbon.

The dialog shows you all available Data Sources. Use the search field to find the **Amazon Athena** option and click the **Connect** button.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you do not see an Amazon Athena option, then you are likely using an outdated version of PowerBI. Please update your PowerBI before proceeding.
{% endhint %}

<div align="left"><img src="https://562960931-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FkJKV1xpCBb6myYGAGdfV%2Fuploads%2Fe0AcEXju7UKS7TP9gtKV%2F1-get-data.png?alt=media&#x26;token=50d5b48b-1808-4f8d-8d2d-6acbea8ce421" alt=""></div>

In the **Amazon Athena** dialog that appears, enter the name of the ODBC connection you created before. (Our example uses "DataCamp Data Connector")

<div align="left"><img src="https://562960931-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FkJKV1xpCBb6myYGAGdfV%2Fuploads%2FMWTWeFqpm4N4QmuqJxkC%2F2-athena-connector.png?alt=media&#x26;token=48d2aed6-1e02-4ed3-be38-ec75bc2b0bb9" alt=""></div>

Choose which Connectivity mode you want to use:

* **Import** loads the data into your local instance of Power BI, meaning you'll have a snapshot of the data locally. This is the best performing option.
* **DirectQuery** will query the live service, meaning you'll have the most up-to-date data daily without needing to import it again. This is the slower option.

{% hint style="info" %}
With **import connectivity mode**, adjusting the **Row to fetch per block** setting can help speed up the overall update time.&#x20;

You can find this option under:

**ODBC > System DSN >&#x20;*****Your DataCamp Data Connector*****&#x20;> Configure > Advanced Options > Row to fetch per block.**&#x20;

Try increasing the value gradually, by 10,000 at a time.
{% endhint %}

Click the **OK** button.

Power BI will now ask you how to Authenticate:

Choose the **Use Data Source Configuration** tab on the left and then click **Connect**.

<figure><img src="https://562960931-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FkJKV1xpCBb6myYGAGdfV%2Fuploads%2FvjEsfYEyDNIEbQmW3P9c%2FScreenshot%202026-02-25%20at%2008.46.54.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c432b9d3-6080-4d94-bdcb-07e82a2f6cd0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

After a few moments, the Navigator panel will show your catalog, databases, and tables. Open the **AwsDataCatalog** node, wait for the data to load, and then open the data\_connector node. This will show you all the tables available in our Data Connector.

{% hint style="info" %}
Want to know what data all the tables contain? Learn more by exploring our [Data Model](https://enterprise-docs.datacamp.com/integrating-our-data-into-your-tools-via-data-connector-2.0/explore-the-data-model).
{% endhint %}

Choose the tables you wish to use and click the **Load** button.

<figure><img src="https://562960931-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FkJKV1xpCBb6myYGAGdfV%2Fuploads%2FB6N8yLQpnj8Lw2z1KJxk%2FCleanShot%202025-03-25%20at%2013.39.56%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=0daaa7d5-c57f-42c3-8053-70cb1b9dabbe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

This will take some time to complete, but after it is finished, you will have all the data from the Data Connector right at your fingertips in Power BI.

<figure><img src="https://562960931-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FkJKV1xpCBb6myYGAGdfV%2Fuploads%2Fepv9KnWx4o7sUU9S1GrF%2FCleanShot%202025-03-25%20at%2014.33.17%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e11f54e5-6653-49c4-8c0d-a4a374f3f6d2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Power BI Dashboard Template

The DataCamp Data Connector 2.0 Power BI Template is an out‑of‑the‑box, plug‑and‑play dashboard that sits on top of the Data Connector 2.0 data model and helps you go from connection to insights in minutes—no modeling required.&#x20;

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Power BI Desktop:** This workflow assumes you’re using Power BI Desktop on Windows. Complete the previous Power BI [configuration](#set-up-an-odbc-data-source) steps before moving on.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Power BI Service refresh** requires an **On‑premises data gateway**. To refresh in the Service (scheduled or on‑demand), install and configure a gateway and use the **Amazon Athena** connector with the same DSN you configure on Desktop. [AWS Documentation+2Microsoft Learn+2](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/athena/latest/ug/connect-with-odbc-and-power-bi.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
{% endhint %}

### Download the Power BI Template

Download the **DCDC 2.0 Power BI Template (.pbit)** from the Data Connector area of your [Enterprise reporting](https://app.datacamp.com/groups).

Login in Enterprise reporting > Reporting > Data Connector

<figure><img src="https://562960931-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FkJKV1xpCBb6myYGAGdfV%2Fuploads%2Fx4gsGLxpgeWjJZUOJw7F%2FScreenshot%202025-10-02%20at%2011.19.39.png?alt=media&#x26;token=2b4e82a7-a05b-480f-a33d-0b96428f3225" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

While you’re in **Reporting > Data Connector**, click **Your Credentials** to retrieve your credentials (Region, S3 bucket, Access Key, etc...). You’ll need them to configure the template on the first run.

### Setup the Power BI Template

Before you start:

1. Make sure that Data Connector 2.0 is [enabled](https://enterprise-docs.datacamp.com/integrating-our-data-into-your-tools-via-data-connector-2.0/getting-started-with-data-connector-2.0/enable-data-connector-2.0) and collect your credentials.
2. Install the [Athena ODBC](#set-up-an-odbc-data-source) v1 driver on Windows.

Now you are ready to open the template and to proceed with the setup:

**Step 1:** Open the **DCDC 2.0 Power BI Template** .pbit file.

**Step 2:** On first run, the following dialog window will show and you have to prompt three parameters.

<figure><img src="https://562960931-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FkJKV1xpCBb6myYGAGdfV%2Fuploads%2F75ksQiJSAaJ7gCdnOaLe%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=72cac4c3-9b35-45e8-8c92-62e96a8d4ed3" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **pDSN**: The connection name you set in the **Simba Athena ODBC Driver DSN** setup (step 6.a). In our example: **“DataCamp Data Connector.”**
* **pCatalog:** Fixed value equal to **"AwsDataCatalog"**
* **pSchema:** `data_connector_{bucket_number}`. Find the bucket number in your [**Data Connector 2.0 credentials**](https://enterprise-docs.datacamp.com/integrating-our-data-into-your-tools-via-data-connector-2.0/getting-started-with-data-connector-2.0/your-credentials) under **S3 Bucket Name** (e.g., `data_connector_123456`).

<figure><img src="https://562960931-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FkJKV1xpCBb6myYGAGdfV%2Fuploads%2FKW6NJoYO8w75tuO2ucjp%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=24da641d-6831-4c3d-a2b6-88d9af585a50" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Step 3**: After you’ve entered all parameters, click **Load**.

<figure><img src="https://562960931-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FkJKV1xpCBb6myYGAGdfV%2Fuploads%2FAoNpjAAfXxDf48hMtVgj%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f8d6fd35-29fc-4f22-963a-74465c5b66cd" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The template will initialize and **refresh** the visuals. For Import mode this may take a few minutes on first load. (You can tune refresh with the “Row to fetch per block” setting noted above.)

### How to use the Power BI Template

Start with the pre-built pages in the template (Snapshot, Engagement, Progress, Leaderboard). They’re wired to the Data Connector 2.0 data model and display your members’ learning activity.

In the top-right corner, use the **time** and **team** slicers to choose your period of interest and drill from Group → Team seamlessly. These slicers are available across all four sections.

**Dashboard Template Preview:**

<figure><img src="https://562960931-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FkJKV1xpCBb6myYGAGdfV%2Fuploads%2FzcmRgTymct9Wh4zTUwOw%2FScreenshot%202025-09-29%20at%2018.19.43.png?alt=media&#x26;token=fd7d33c4-9a03-49aa-bde5-8749d6e0dd23" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
Keep the starter pages intact if you plan to build more.
{% endhint %}

Want to extend? Add a new page, bring in additional Data Connector 2.0 tables (facts, dimensions), and use the existing measures as patterns. If you need table‑by‑table detail, see [**Explore the data model**](https://enterprise-docs.datacamp.com/integrating-our-data-into-your-tools-via-data-connector-2.0/explore-the-data-model).

### Sections explanation

* **Snapshot**: A configurable one-page KPI board for quick executive updates. Includes an adoption funnel and six KPI tiles with trend charts. Designed to be bookmark-screenshot-friendly.\
  Each tile includes a Year-over-Year (YoY) comparison for the selected period—shown both as an aggregate and as a trend over time (dark line).
* **Engagement**: Answers “Are people actually using the platform?” Track Monthly and Weekly Active Users to gauge activity and stickiness, compare new vs. returning users to understand adoption patterns, and analyze engagement by content type. Select the engagement metric of interest to focus the view.
* **Progress**: Dive deeper at the content level. Select a content type to visualize starts and completions over time, completion rate, and the top 10 most-started and most-completed items.
* **Leaderboard**: Showcase company achievements and key averages/rates, and identify your learning champions with the leaderboard table.
* **History:** A simple, all-time view that highlights cumulative metrics since your subscription began, designed to give an immediate read on achievements and learning delivered.

### How to export data

You can quickly export data from visuals for further analysis.

* **Power BI Desktop:** From any visual, select **More options (…) → Export data**. Desktop exports **summarized data only** to **.csv** (filters are respected).
* **Power BI Service:** From any visual, choose **More options (…) → Export data** and pick your granularity: **Summarized** or **Underlying.**

For a step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots, see DataCamp’s guide: [How to export Power BI data to Excel](https://www.datacamp.com/blog/how-to-export-power-bi-data-to-excel).

### Glossary

Not familiar with a term or unsure how to interpret a metric? Check our [**reporting glossary**](https://enterprise-docs.datacamp.com/understanding-reports-with-clarity-definitions) for clear and consistent definitions.

{% hint style="info" %}
In the template, hover the **(?) helper tooltip** on charts and KPI tiles for quick metric descriptions.
{% endhint %}

## Resources

This is a list of official resources related to Power BI and Athena.

* [Official Microsoft Power BI site](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/products/power-bi/)
* [Using the Amazon Athena Power BI connector](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/athena/latest/ug/connect-with-odbc-and-power-bi.html)
* [Connecting to Amazon Athena with ODBC](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/athena/latest/ug/connect-with-odbc.html#connect-with-odbc-driver-documentation)
* [Troubleshooting AWS Athena Connections](https://knowledge.alteryx.com/index/s/article/Troubleshooting-AWS-Athena-Connections-1583461556915)