Import or Direct Query?
Which way is better for you to load data from DB to Power BI
When we create dashboards on the Power BI desktop, most of the time we connect to the database to pull out data. In Power BI, there are two ways you can use to load data from DB, import, or direct query. I will explain the difference and the advantages of each way to let you understand which way is proper for you.
The differences
Import
Using the import function, you can load the data from DB, there is a 1 GB limit to the Desktop if you plan on publishing to the BI Service. The refresh frequency is up to 8 times per day according to your setting.
The biggest advantage of the import-method is that you can create your own columns through DAX, to increase the flexibility of your calculation and customize the index on the dashboards. But if your source contains more than 4 tables and it needs to be associated with each other by keys, you need to consider the data amount limit and the complexity you maintain the importing data. Another thing you need to consider is that the data is not that ‘instant’ due to the update schedule you set.
Direct Query
This method enables you to have a real-time data presentation by a query to the database while the dashboards are called out. It provides ‘live’ data to stakeholders.
The advantage of this method is to have real-time updates to each stakeholder, to avoid recognition gaps in between, especially suitable for the font side to control the situation immediately. However, it limits your ability to manipulate data, you are not able to have your own DAX calculation with this input-way. It is also a challenge for DB service to support this kind of query method.
The best practice is not there for each business situation, you need to consider your business types, what is your purpose of the dashboards, your database capability, your stakeholder's needs, and how are you gonna maintain the structure. Hope this article helps, stay tuned.
