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It is a data connectivity mode in Power BI that allows you to build reports and dashboards directly on top of your source systems without importing the data into Power BI. Instead of storing data in Power BI’s in-memory engine, each interaction with a report—such as filtering or slicing—triggers a real-time query to the underlying data source.
Power BI Direct Query: A Step-by-Step Guide
DirectQuery is ideal in the following scenarios:
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When your reports must reflect the most current data without scheduled refreshes.
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If your dataset is too large to import into Power BI (e.g., exceeding the 1 GB limit for Pro users), DirectQuery allows you to work with the data without importing it.
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When data must remain in its original location due to compliance or security policies, DirectQuery ensures data isn't duplicated or stored elsewhere.
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To maintain a single source of truth, especially when multiple tools or reports need to access the same data source.
Use DirectQuery in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn