Fixing "Cannot Open Server Requested by the Login" Error When Connecting Power BI Desktop to Jira Align Enterprise Insights

Summary

This article provides troubleshooting steps for resolving connection errors when using Power BI Desktop to connect to the Jira Align Enterprise Insights SQL server in Atlassian Cloud.

Diagnosis

When attempting to connect Power BI Desktop to Jira Align Enterprise Insights, you may encounter the following error:

Unable to connect We encountered an error while trying to connect. Details: "Microsoft SQL: Cannot open server 'company.com' requested by the login. The login failed."

Cause

This typically occurs due to cached or incorrect connection information or a mismatch in authentication settings.

Solution

Solution

If you are unable to connect Power BI Desktop to your Jira Align Enterprise Insights SQL server, follow these steps to resolve the issue:

1. Verify Connection Details

  • Use the exact server name and database name provided in your Enterprise Insights invitation email.

  • Double-check for typos, extra spaces, or hidden characters in the server and database fields.

  • Example:

    • Server: <provided_server_name>

    • Database: <provided_database_name>

2. Select the Correct Authentication Method

  • For Azure Active Directory (AAD) users, select Azure Active Directory - Universal with MFA as the authentication method in Power BI Desktop.

  • For SQL users, ensure your account was created by Atlassian Support and use the credentials provided.

3. Clear Cached Connections in Power BI Desktop

  1. Open Power BI Desktop.

  2. Go to File > Options and settings > Data source settings.

  3. Remove any existing connections to your Enterprise Insights server or database.

  4. Restart Power BI Desktop.

4. Re-establish the Connection

  1. In Power BI Desktop, go to Get Data > Azure SQL Database (or SQL Server Database).

  2. Enter the exact server and database names from your invitation email.

  3. Click OK.

  4. When prompted, select the correct authentication method and sign in with your credentials.

If you have followed all steps and still cannot connect, contact your organization admin to confirm your user account is active and has the necessary permissions. If the issue persists, reach out to Atlassian Support with screenshots of your connection settings and any error messages.

Updated on March 31, 2026

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