Microsoft is renaming Azure Synapse Link for Dataverse to Link data in the Power Apps maker portal, putting Microsoft Fabric at the center of Dataverse analytics setup. The refreshed experience began rolling out on July 20 and is expected to reach all regions by early August 2026, according to Microsoft’s Power Platform blog.
The new Link data navigation entry consolidates Fabric links, Azure Synapse Link, Azure Data Lake, and other export targets in one management surface. Fabric Links appears as the primary section for new analytics workloads, while legacy and alternative destinations sit under Other Links.
That is more than a label change. Previously, admins managed links from the Azure Synapse Link page but had to switch to the Tables area and use Analyze > Link to Microsoft Fabric to create a Fabric connection. The new page puts creation and management together, with a Fabric link as the headline option. The in-context Tables entry point remains, now labeled Analyze in Fabric, but new Synapse links are created only from Link data under Other Links.
Microsoft says its naming update reflects current usage: Fabric is now the main destination for new Dataverse links and receives updates more frequently than the older Synapse paths.
Microsoft is also promoting workspace identity as the recommended authentication method. The company says it avoids a common setup issue involving incorrectly configured service-principal permissions. Workspace identity is enabled once at the Fabric workspace level, outside Dataverse, and can then be used by Dataverse links targeting that workspace.
Organizational-account and service-principal authentication remain supported. The practical catch is that workspace identity still requires coordination with the Fabric administrator before a maker can select it in the new wizard.
Admins should update runbooks, screenshots, and internal instructions that refer to “Azure Synapse Link for Dataverse,” especially where they direct users to the old portal navigation or the Tables page for Fabric setup.
Microsoft is also working on bulk-friendly table selection and support for linking one Dataverse environment to multiple Fabric workspaces, but neither capability is available yet.
For now, teams creating new Dataverse analytics connections should use Link data and prepare Fabric workspace identity where they want the recommended authentication model.
Fabric becomes the default path
The new Link data navigation entry consolidates Fabric links, Azure Synapse Link, Azure Data Lake, and other export targets in one management surface. Fabric Links appears as the primary section for new analytics workloads, while legacy and alternative destinations sit under Other Links.That is more than a label change. Previously, admins managed links from the Azure Synapse Link page but had to switch to the Tables area and use Analyze > Link to Microsoft Fabric to create a Fabric connection. The new page puts creation and management together, with a Fabric link as the headline option. The in-context Tables entry point remains, now labeled Analyze in Fabric, but new Synapse links are created only from Link data under Other Links.
Microsoft says its naming update reflects current usage: Fabric is now the main destination for new Dataverse links and receives updates more frequently than the older Synapse paths.
Simplified Fabric setup, with workspace identity promoted
The refreshed Fabric link wizard uses three steps: select a Fabric workspace and authentication method, select Dataverse tables to synchronize, then review and create the link. A separate Manage tables interface is now available from the top command bar, avoiding the prior requirement to open a specific link before modifying its table list.Microsoft is also promoting workspace identity as the recommended authentication method. The company says it avoids a common setup issue involving incorrectly configured service-principal permissions. Workspace identity is enabled once at the Fabric workspace level, outside Dataverse, and can then be used by Dataverse links targeting that workspace.
Organizational-account and service-principal authentication remain supported. The practical catch is that workspace identity still requires coordination with the Fabric administrator before a maker can select it in the new wizard.
No migration or pricing change
Existing Azure Synapse Link, Azure Data Lake, and other supported links will continue running without migration, relinking, API changes, or pricing changes. Existing connections will simply appear under Other Links on the new page.Admins should update runbooks, screenshots, and internal instructions that refer to “Azure Synapse Link for Dataverse,” especially where they direct users to the old portal navigation or the Tables page for Fabric setup.
Microsoft is also working on bulk-friendly table selection and support for linking one Dataverse environment to multiple Fabric workspaces, but neither capability is available yet.
For now, teams creating new Dataverse analytics connections should use Link data and prepare Fabric workspace identity where they want the recommended authentication model.
References
- Primary source: Microsoft
Published: 2026-07-20T14:00:00+00:00
Announcing Link to Fabric UX refresh - Microsoft Power Platform Blog
We are refreshing how you connect Microsoft Dataverse to your analytics stack.www.microsoft.com
