Blank Query Connection
- Liliia Ostrovska
- Daniel Belevtsov
Before using the Blank Query Connection and creating an access token, ensure your ServiceNow [admin] sets up and tests the configuration on the corresponding instances. Without this configuration, you won’t be able to create the access token.
By default, the OData feed is used for connecting to Microsoft Power BI. However, to meet a wider variety of user needs, the Blank Query Connection method has also been added.
This feature is especially helpful for companies using Single Sign On (SSO), as this login method often operates without the need for a password. The Blank Query Connection enables authorization without requiring a local ServiceNow password.
There are also a few features that are not available when using the Blank Query Connection:
The templates can’t be used with the Blank Query connection. They are built on OData, and the Blank Query can’t replace the OData connection.
There might be potential limitations for the scheduled refresh. Connection configuration issues are present when publishing the dashboard and scheduling a refresh.
This connection method is available in version 1.6.2 of Power BI Connector. If you don’t see the Blank Query Connection method, please ensure that you have version 1.6.2 or higher.
Starting with version 1.6.15 of Power BI Connector for ServiceNow, ServiceNow [admin] can also set up email notifications about access token expiration.
To use the Blank Query Connection method, it’s required to generate an access token. Therefore, before exporting data, ensure that you have created a token.
Please follow the steps provided below to easily start using the Blank Query Connection method.
How to Create Access Token
The following users CAN’T create the token:
Users with the ServiceNow [admin] role due to security perspective
Users who don’t have email
WSAO (Web Service Access only) users
In the Filter navigator field, start entering Power BI, and then select Authorization (Under the Power BI Connector for ServiceNow section).
Select New.
Select Generate Token.
Select Submit.
By default, an access token is set to a one-year validity period. If you’d like to change the validity period, please contact your ServiceNow admin.
If configured, all users with access tokens will receive daily email notifications starting a week before (or any specified time range) their token expires.
Your access token will be automatically copied as a part of a template when selecting Copy Blank Query Template. The template is generated for each user separately, taking into account the data of the user who copies it. It means that each user has to create their access token independently.
Each user is allowed to generate only one access token. While users can update their existing token, attempting to generate an additional token will result in an error.
How to Export Data with Blank Query Connection
In the Filter navigator field, enter Portal, and then select Portal (Under the Power BI Connector for ServiceNow section).
Select Copy BlankQuery Template.
The following users CAN’T see the Blank Query Template:
Users with the ServiceNow [admin] role
Users who don’t have email
Users who haven’t created access token yet
Users with Power BI Connector version lower than 1.6.2
Launch your Microsoft Power BI, select Get data, and then select Blank query.
Select Advanced Editor.
Replace the query template with the copied template in step 2.
Select Edit Credentials.
Select Anonymous, and then select Connect.
After the data is loaded, you can start building graphs and dashboards based on the ServiceNow data.
