Introduction

When working with Power BI, one of the key decisions you need to make is how to connect to your data. The two primary storage modes - DirectQuery and Import - each have their strengths and limitations. Choosing the right mode can significantly impact your report’s performance, flexibility, and refresh frequency. In this hands-on Power BI tutorial, we’ll break down the differences and help you decide which option is best for your use case. Since this topic is highly relevant for the PL-300 exam, this guide will serve as a helpful resource in preparing for the exam.

🔌 DirectQuery

DirectQuery queries data directly from the source. This means reports always reflect real-time data but may have slow performance since each interaction sends a query to the database.

✅ Pros

🔄Real-Time Data Access – Always up-to-date without needing scheduled refreshes.

📊Handles Large Datasets – Works with massive datasets without loading them into Power BI.

❌ Cons

⚡ Slower Performance – Each interaction sends a query to the database, leading to potential lag.

📝 Limited DAX functions & Data Modeling features – Some advanced calculations and transformations are restricted.

📌 Best For: Live data reporting, large datasets, real-time access

📥 Import

Import Mode loads data into Power BI and stores it in the in-memory engine. This enables queries to run much faster compared to DirectQuery, though the data is not real-time.

✅ Pros

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