Official Guide to Integrate Splunk with Power BI

[zmanaf]

Hi All,

I am new to Power BI. My question is, how do we integrate between Splunk and Power BI.
Is there an Official guide or manual from Splunk on how we configure this integration for both ?

Cheers
Zamir

[livehybrid]

Hi @zmanaf 

Please can you confirm if you are trying to pull Splunk data into Power BI, or pull Power BI data in to Splunk?

While there isn't an official guide from Splunk specifically for integrating with Power BI, there are several approaches you can take to achieve this integration. Here are some common methods, with the post popular being using the Splunk ODBC Driver:

1. Splunk ODBC Driver:
   1. Official Docs: https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/ODBC/3.1.1/UseODBC/AboutSplunkODBCDriver 
   2. Splunk provides an ODBC driver that allows you to connect to Splunk from various BI tools, including Power BI.
   3. You can download the Splunk ODBC driver from the Splunkbase (https://splunkbase.splunk.com/app/1606)
   4. Once installed, configure the ODBC driver to connect to your Splunk instance.
   5. In Power BI, use the ODBC connector to connect to Splunk and import data for visualization.
2. Splunk REST API:
   • You can use the Splunk REST API to query data from Splunk and then import it into Power BI.
   • Create a custom connector in Power BI using Power Query M language to call the Splunk REST API.
   • Use the API to fetch the data you need and transform it as required in Power BI.
3. Export Data from Splunk:
   • You can export data from Splunk to a CSV file and then import the CSV file into Power BI.
   • This method is more manual but can be useful for one-time or periodic data imports.
4. Third-Party Connectors:
   • There are third-party connectors available that can facilitate the integration between Splunk and Power BI.
   • These connectors can simplify the process of fetching data from Splunk and visualizing it in Power BI.
5. Scheduled Data Exports:
   • Set up scheduled searches in Splunk to export data to a location accessible by Power BI, such as a shared folder or a cloud storage service.
   • Use Power BI to connect to the exported data files and refresh the data on a schedule.

If you want to go down the Splunk ODBC Driver route then these are the steps you will need to go through:

1. Download and Install the Splunk ODBC Driver:
   • Download the ODBC driver for your operating system.
   • Follow the installation instructions at https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/ODBC/3.1.1/UseODBC/AboutSplunkODBCDriver and https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/ODBC/3.1.1/UseODBC/PowerBI
2. Configure the ODBC Data Source:
   • Open the ODBC Data Source Administrator on your machine / PowerBI.
   • Add a new data source and select the Splunk ODBC driver.
   • Configure the connection settings, including the Splunk server address, port, and authentication details.
3. Connect Power BI to Splunk via ODBC:
   • Go to Get Data > ODBC.
   • Select the ODBC data source you configured for Splunk.
   • Import the data and start building your reports and dashboards.

If you are looking to query Power BI from Splunk (which is less common) then there are various APIs available from Power BI, you will need to create an Application in Azure Entra to provide you with credentials to connect to the Power BI API., Let me know if you need more information on this and I will try and find examples, although it isnt something I have done myself.

Please let me know how you get on and consider adding karma to this or any other answer if it has helped.
Regards

Will

[isoutamo]

As already said, please define what you are meaning with word integrate!

Here is one conf presentation about splunk and power bi https://conf.splunk.com/files/2022/slides/PLA1122B.pdf

[kiran_panchavat]

@zmanaf 

Another method is to connect Splunk data to Power BI using the REST API. This approach requires some configuration and understanding of your Splunk data. You can find a general guide on how to do this in the https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Desktop/How-to-Connect-Splunk-data-using-rest-api/td-p/344... 

CData Power BI Connector: CData offers a Power BI Connector for Splunk, which simplifies the process of connecting and visualizing Splunk data in Power BI. You can follow their complete guide https://www.cdata.com/kb/tech/splunk-powerbi-gateway.rst 

[kiran_panchavat]

@zmanaf 

Please refer this documentation 

https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/ODBC/3.1.1/UseODBC/PowerBI 

https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/ODBC/3.1.1/UseODBC/AboutSplunkODBCDriver 

[kiran_panchavat]

@zmanaf 

You can use this to integrate Power BI with Splunk https://splunkbase.splunk.com/app/1606