Different connectivity modes in power BI

Question

What are the different connectivity modes in Power BI

Amit Mohanty · Answer

Power BI offers the following connectivity modes: Import Mode : Data is imported and stored in-memory for fast performance. DirectQuery : Queries the live data source for near real-time updates. Live Connection : Connects directly to SSAS Azure Analysis Services or Power BI datasets. Composite Mode : Combines Import and DirectQuery for flexibility. Push Dataset (Streaming) : Streams real-time data for live dashboards. For more details check the below links: https://www.clearpeaks.com/different-connectivity-modes-in-power-bi/ https://www.alphaservesp.com/blog/power-bi-data-connection-a-comprehensive-guide https://radacad.com/directquery-live-connection-or-import-data-tough-decision

Bran Livinston · Answer

1. Import Mode Description : Data is imported and stored in Power BI's in-memory engine for fast performance. Use Case : Best for scenarios requiring high performance where data changes less frequently. 2. DirectQuery Description : Queries are sent directly to the live data source without storing the data in Power BI. Use Case : Ideal for large datasets or scenarios requiring near real-time updates. 3. Live Connection Description : Establishes a live connection directly to services like SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) Azure Analysis Services or Power BI datasets. Use Case : Suitable for centralized models managed in Analysis Services or Power BI. 4. Composite Mode Description : Combines Import and DirectQuery modes in a single dataset. Use Case : Provides flexibility to optimize performance and maintain real-time data access for specific tables. 5. Push Dataset (Streaming) Description : Enables real-time streaming of data into Power BI dashboards. Use Case : Great for real-time monitoring scenarios such as IoT applications.