Easy Tech TutsHow to Connect SAP to Power BI Easily 2026
By Impran M N
Coping with manual spreadsheet exports from SAP just to build a Power BI report introduces delays and errors into your reporting cycle. This guide shows how to use Power BI's native SAP connectors to link directly to SAP HANA or SAP Business Warehouse, choosing between Import and DirectQuery modes. It's aimed at BI professionals and data engineers building enterprise ERP dashboards.
01Gather your connection details
Open your SAP GUI client and copy your specific Application Server name, System Number, and Client ID.
02Start the connection in Power BI Desktop
Click Get Data, choose the Database category, and select either SAP HANA database or SAP Business Warehouse.
03Enter server details
Paste your host address into the Server field and enter your Client ID, then choose Import or DirectQuery as your connectivity mode.
04Authenticate
Choose Database as your credential type and input your authorized SAP username and password.
05Load your tables and publish
Check the boxes next to your target tables or InfoCubes in the Navigator, click Transform Data, apply changes, build your visuals, and publish to your workspace.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose Import or DirectQuery for SAP data?
Import mode works well for high-capacity scheduled refreshes, while DirectQuery is better if you need near real-time responsiveness against the live SAP server.
What information do I need before connecting to SAP?
You'll need your Application Server hostname, System Number, and Client ID, which you can find in your SAP Logon console.
Can I connect to both SAP HANA and SAP BW?
Yes, Power BI provides separate native connectors for SAP HANA databases and SAP Business Warehouse servers.
Do I need a data gateway to keep SAP data refreshed in the cloud?
Yes, an enterprise data gateway is typically required to allow Power BI Service to refresh data from an on-premises SAP environment.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.
