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Microsoft PL-900: What Does ‘DirectQuery’ Mode Do in Power BI?

By: Author Alex Lim

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Learn what DirectQuery mode does in Power BI. Discover how DirectQuery connects to live data sources without importing data, enabling real-time analytics and reporting on large or frequently changing datasets.

Table of Contents

Question

In Power BI, what does ‘DirectQuery’ mode do?

A. Creates a snapshot of data for offline access
B. Connects to live data sources without importing data
C. Automatically generates AI-powered reports
D. Encrypts Power BI dashboards for security
E. Limits access to Power BI service accounts

Answer

B. Connects to live data sources without importing data

Explanation

DirectQuery mode allows Power BI to pull data in real-time from an external source instead of storing it in a dataset.

DirectQuery mode in Power BI connects to live data sources without importing data into Power BI. Instead of storing a copy of the data, Power BI creates a schema (metadata) of the connected source and queries the underlying data source in real time whenever a user interacts with a report or visualization. This approach ensures that reports and dashboards always display the most current data available in the source system.

Key characteristics of DirectQuery mode:

  • Real-Time Data Access: Every interaction with a report triggers a new query to the data source, providing near real-time insights.
  • No Data Import: Data remains in the original source; only metadata is stored in Power BI.
  • Scalability: Suitable for very large datasets that are impractical to import, as there is no need to transfer or store massive amounts of data in Power BI.
  • Security and Compliance: Data security and access rules from the source system are enforced, as data never leaves the source.
  • Reduced Storage Needs: Since data is not imported, Power BI report file sizes remain small.

DirectQuery mode allows Power BI to pull data in real time from an external source instead of storing it in a dataset, ensuring reports are always up to date and can handle very large or frequently changing datasets efficiently.

Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals PL-900 certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals PL-900 exam and earn Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals PL-900 certification.