Data Import & Export

How to Add or Change a Local Data Source in Power BI Desktop

Steve K Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to connect to a new local data source or replace an existing one (like an Excel workbook, CSV, or SQL Server) within Power BI Desktop.

How to Add a Local Data Source in Power BI Desktop

Product: Power BI Desktop
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Adding a new local file or database to a report, or updating the connection path of an existing data source.
Observed behavior: The user requires specific steps to import local data and switch data sources while maintaining report functionality.

Before you start

Ensure your local files or databases are fully accessible from your computer and that any replacement data source has the exact same tables, columns, and data types as the original.

Solution 1Recommended

Add a New Local Data Source

Use the Get data feature to connect a brand new local file or database to your Power BI report.

This is the standard method for bringing new local data (such as Excel workbooks, text files, or a local SQL database) into your Power BI environment.

Open Get Data

Launch Power BI Desktop. Navigate to the Home tab on the top ribbon and click on the 'Get data' icon.

Select the Source Type

Choose the appropriate local source from the dropdown menu, such as 'Excel workbook', 'Text/CSV', or 'SQL Server'.

Locate and Connect

Browse your local file directory to select the file, or enter your local database server credentials, then click 'Open' or 'Connect'.

Load the Data

In the Navigator window, preview your data, check the boxes next to the tables you wish to import, and click 'Load' or 'Transform Data'.

Solution 2

Replace an Existing Data Source

Update your report's underlying data connection by modifying the existing data source settings.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Prepare Your Local Data Effortlessly with WPS Office

Before importing your local Excel workbooks or CSV files into Power BI, you often need to clean and format the data. WPS Office is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office that makes data preparation fast and easy.

1. Open your data file: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your local Excel or CSV file.
2. Clean and format: Organize your column headers and fix data types to ensure a smooth Power BI import.
3. Save for import: Save your optimized file as an .xlsx or .csv format, ready to be connected as a local data source.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) and CSV formats used in Power BI.Lightweight architecture ensures fast loading and smooth handling of large local datasets.Familiar spreadsheet interface means zero learning curve for data cleaning.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the 'Get Data' options disabled in my Power BI?

If data-source options are greyed out, verify that you are using the desktop application (Power BI Desktop) instead of the web-based Power BI Service. Also, check that your user account has the necessary permissions to access local files or databases.

Will changing my data source break my existing Power BI visuals?

It will not break your visuals as long as the new data source maintains the exact same structure. This includes having identical table names, column headers, and data types as the original source.

Can I connect to a local SQL Server database in Power BI Desktop?

Yes. From the Home tab, select 'Get data' > 'SQL Server'. You can then enter your local server name (e.g., 'localhost' or your PC name) and provide your database credentials to establish the connection.

Excel & Data Problems