Power BI - How to Import data from Web Data Source into Power BI

In this post, we look at How to Import data from Web Data Source into Power BI. Previously I covered Import data from MySQL into Power BI. The tutorial was pretty easy for importing the data into the Power BI. You can use that for either local data source or the cloud based mysql data source. So now moving onto the data sources on the web pages.

Now we are going to check out another data source. This data souce is pretty common and applies to all type of the webpages. Like you have the HTML tables on the page. And when you make use of the data shown on the html page, you can also use that to import the data into the page and connect with the Power BI to work with such data.So for this tutorial, I can take an example of the wikipedia.

If you have installed the Power BI make sure to open it. I can also use the same example for the web based power bi but the thing is that would be easier if the local power bi can be used. Though the video below makes use of the desktop based power bi. You can follow along with video or the text based tutorial.

We have to make use of the sample data. So in case of the Wikipedia tables, find out data like say some population data, poverty, flood and others. That would give you enough idea on what to view and show in the power bi. That would be also something easier for you to view in terms of the data.

So lets follow the step by step tutorial on how to connect to web data source on Power BI.

1. Open Power BI desktop.
2. Click on "Get Data" button.
3. Find the web data option in the list.
4. Give it the URL of the wikipedia html table.
5. Load the data into the DAX editor.
6. You are done!

That's it. From this point onwards you now have the data inside the power bi and you can further process it the way you want it. I am sure there are some really good datasets out there in the Wikipedia and other sites but you choose from where to go from here. I think there are some datasets which are easier to get into the powerbi it depends on what you choose to import.

Here for this type of the data import you won't be needing any form of the connector.And also there does not seem to be any form of the data related driver required.So you just have to give the URL of the page where there is an HTML table. This would be easier for you to work with the data sources which are on the web. Which most of the websites give you and you can use them.

I have like around 6 more tutorials left. After that I would be covering other topics. And hopefully I can have enough data into the power bi playlist that would be easier for others to check and follow along with. I hope that you like these series of tutorials. I would be covering mostly the cloud tutorials and the server sidestuff from now on once the 2024 comes in and then from more years ahead.

Make sure to share the content on the telegram, whatsapp and other sources where you find the value being shared. I have been pumping out content and posting it regularly but it takes a lot of efforts for those content pieces to get views and value. I hope this year my revenue starts getting better.But I need support of a lot of people for that to work as well. I guess more tutorials sent here would help me get some views too.

I'd see you with the next Power BI tutorial next week.