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Custom Connector as a Portable Library of Functions

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Miguel Escobar on 24 Aug 2017 09:40:54

Currently, a custom connector requires a Data Source and a Authentication record associated to a function in order to be Published or exposed in the 'Get Data' dialog/window.
This is perfectly fine for data sources, but if I want to create a custom connector that creates data using native M functions, like. List.Generate or List.Dates, then I shouldn't have to define a Data Source nor an Authentication which complicates things and is an unnecessary step for the end user.

Here are 2 videos showcasing 2 functions that do not need any sort of authentication, but due to the way custom connectors currently need to be constructed, they get prompted for credentials as an "Anonymous" user:
https://youtu.be/76W1Cu1qSfw
https://youtu.be/Q06NKl8A4eI

The idea: to remove the need for a DataSource/Authentication record for custom connectors that act as library of functions so they can be published on the 'Get Data' dialog and not only shared as environment variables.

Administrator on 15 Aug 2024 18:38:14

Update 8/15/2024: Moved from Power BI ideas to Data Factory ideas.

Comments (11)
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Power BI User on 16 Aug 2020 04:08:52

RE: Custom Connector as a Portable Library of Functions

It works great, just what I needed!

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Dale Sines on 16 Aug 2020 04:08:48

RE: Custom Connector as a Portable Library of Functions

This worked out perfectly for what I needed. Thanks. I hope it gets published as an official tool.

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Garry on 16 Aug 2020 03:58:29

RE: Custom Connector as a Portable Library of Functions

A great concept from the Power User, please support this idea Microsoft

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Juan Carlos Olmedo Garcia on 16 Aug 2020 03:58:26

RE: Custom Connector as a Portable Library of Functions

Please make it happen

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Miguel Escobar on 16 Aug 2020 03:58:26

RE: Custom Connector as a Portable Library of Functions

Absolutely, Igor! and your repo is completely supported at this moment with Custom Connectors.

The idea posted here is based on a scenario that quite different as it relies on multiple functions from the same connector being published to the 'Get Data' Dialog to provide the most user-friendly experience possible instead of relying on the user to manually input the name of the functions which is not so user friendly.

*More info about the current issues and suggested changes in the original idea description as well as videos*

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Imke Feldmann on 16 Aug 2020 03:58:25

RE: Custom Connector as a Portable Library of Functions

Agree, this would be a huge step forward!!

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Power BI User on 16 Aug 2020 03:58:12

RE: Custom Connector as a Portable Library of Functions

Same here.

Same needed for custom PQ functions.

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Power BI User on 16 Aug 2020 03:53:12

RE: Custom Connector as a Portable Library of Functions

Was pretty much what I was looking for. I have used the same queries in many different places i.e. Different dashboards and excel spreadsheets. A central repository or library for these where they can be updated in one place but seen in multiple places is what I would like to see.

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Taylor Clark on 16 Aug 2020 03:51:06

RE: Custom Connector as a Portable Library of Functions

Allow connecting to / sharing of M functions and libraries. For example, I've been keeping a set of useful "utility" functions here: https://github.com/tnclark8012/power-query-extentions/blob/master/power-query-extensions.m

It would be great if I could share or import them in a convenient way, and perhaps reference them without the table syntax.

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Taylor Clark on 16 Aug 2020 03:48:11

RE: Custom Connector as a Portable Library of Functions

Allow connecting to / sharing of M functions and libraries. For example, I've been keeping a set of useful "utility" functions here: https://github.com/tnclark8012/power-query-extentions/blob/master/power-query-extensions.m

It would be great if I could share or import them in a convenient way, and perhaps reference them without the table syntax.