Database Error (0X80004005): No Rfc Authorization For Function Module Bapi_Mdprovider_Get_Catalogs

Issue

The error below occurs upon accessing SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse from Tableau Desktop

Database error (0x80004005): No RFC authorization for function module BAPI_MDPROVIDER_GET_CATALOGS

Environment

Tableau Desktop
SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse

Resolution

To resolve the issue, please work with your SAP BW administrator to review the user’s permissions for the data source.

Cause

The error “Database error (0x80004005): No RFC authorization for function module BAPI_MDPROVIDER_GET_CATALOGS.” is raised by the data source and means that the connected user is not authorized to query the data source metadata to get the list of available cubes.

Additional Information

MDDataProvider BAPIs are used for extracting the information about the data provider (the so-called metadata information). These BAPIs are called before an MDX statement is being built. The returned metadata information is used to build an MDX statement. Typically, when the frontend tool connects to the BW system it first gives a list of BW cubes available on the BW system (BAPI_MDPROVIDER_GET_CATALOGS is called), then a user selects a BW cube and a list of queries on this cube appears (BAPI_MDPROVIDER_GET_CUBES is called).