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What is Direct Query ?

DirectQuery

is one of the table storage modes available in Power BI, allowing users to connect to data sources without importing the data into the Power BI model.

When a table’s storage mode is set to DirectQuery, queries are passed directly to the data source instead of retrieving data that is stored in the model. This means that the data is not cached in Power BI, enabling real-time data access. However, it may lead to performance considerations, as the speed of the report will depend on the performance of the underlying data source.

Using DirectQuery is particularly beneficial for scenarios where the data changes frequently, ensuring that users are always working with the most current data.

However, it’s important to note that using DirectQuery can limit some functionalities available in Power BI, such as certain DAX functions or the ability to use complex calculations, due to the reliance on the data source for query execution.

The model framework in Power BI can be categorized into different types based on the table storage mode.

A DirectQuery model comprises tables that have their storage mode set to DirectQuery and belong to the same source group. Users should consider the trade-offs between performance and functionality when deciding to use DirectQuery, as it may impact the overall user experience in Power BI reports.

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