Power BI REST Connector now Generally Available

Hi everyone,

We're excited to announce that the Power BI REST API connector is now Generally Available (GA), offering significant performance improvements and broader capabilities. At the same time, we're deprecating the legacy OData connector, which will be retired on August 18, 2026.

What's changing:

REST API connector promoted to GA:
- Broader authentication support: Works with all identity providers supported by CDF (not just Azure Entra ID)
- Enhanced data access: OData services, GraphQL for data models, and direct REST API endpoints
- Up to 10x performance improvement when using direct REST endpoints
- Full API coverage: Access data from any GA CDF API endpoint

OData connector deprecated:
- Deprecation date: August 18, 2025
- Retirement date: August 18, 2026
- Existing reports will continue to work until retirement
- All new reports must use the REST API connector

What this means for you:

For new reports:
- Use the REST API connector exclusively
- Choose from three data access methods based on your needs:
  - OData services for quick exploration (no coding required)
  - GraphQL for data models (minimal coding)
  - Direct REST for maximum performance (needs some Power Query coding experience)

For existing OData-based reports:
- Continue working normally until retirement date
- Plan migration to the REST API connector before retirement
- We've created a migration guide with multiple migration options ranging from minimal code changes to performance-optimized approaches

Resources:
- REST API connector setup guide: https://docs.cognite.com/cdf/dashboards/guides/powerbi/set_up_rest_connector
- Migration guide from OData: https://docs.cognite.com/cdf/dashboards/guides/powerbi/set_up_odata_connector#migration-guide
- Deprecation timeline: https://docs.cognite.com/cdf/deprecated
- Training (coming soon): While our documentation is ready for you to get started immediately, we're also developing dedicated Academy training courses covering the new REST connector features and migration best practices. These hands-on courses will be available soon to help you make the most of the enhanced capabilities.

The REST API connector represents a significant advancement in how Power BI integrates with CDF, providing better performance, broader compatibility, and access to all CDF features. We encourage starting your migration planning early to ensure a smooth transition.

For questions or support during migration, please reach out to your Cognite representative or post in the forum.