Open Power BI file. Transformations must be able to reasonably translate into a single native query. Limit the number of visuals on a page: When a report page is opened (and when page filters are applied) all of the visuals on a page are refreshed. In the dialog box for the connection, under Data connectivity mode, select DirectQuery. For more information about DirectQuery in Power BI, see: This article described aspects of DirectQuery that are common across all data sources. The performance of a DirectQuery report in the Power BI service depends on the degree of load placed on the underlying data source. Keep individual sessions reasonably small, perhaps 10 seconds of actions, not hundreds. You can add '?cross-company=true' after the name of the data entity, to retrieve cross-company data. This section provides high-level guidance on how to successfully use DirectQuery, given its implications. You can use the ActivityID value to determine which events belong to the same group. The following data sources send queries to the log: You can read the trace files by using the SQL Server Profiler, part of the free download SQL Server Management Studio. Consider also indexed views that can pre-aggregate fact table data at a higher grain. The setting is only enabled when there's at least one DirectQuery source in the model. Power BI uses this pattern because the analyst provides the SQL query directly. I recently created this simple Power BI desktop file that allows you to try out dynamic security with the new security relationship feature as described in this blog post. Given that more than one query might be required for a single visual, for example, to obtain the details and the totals, even consistency within a single visual isn't guaranteed. For example, consider a model where a relationship exists between Sales and Product tables. The relational database source can be optimized in several ways, as described in the following bulleted list. Applying the same filter to a table twice, through one of more tables outside of the DirectQuery source, is not supported. Include a few more actions, to ensure that the events of interest flush into the trace file. The log might support other DirectQuery sources in the future. The last part of the sentence holds the key - while Import mode stores the snapshot of your data in-memory - DirectQuery (DQ) doesn't store any data. Also ensure that it includes columns for useful time periods, like year, quarter, month, week, etc. This situation also applies when you connect to the following sources, except there's no option to import the data: Power BI datasets, for example connecting to a Power BI dataset that's already published to the service, to author a new report over it. But if the underlying source schema changes, the Power BI service doesn't automatically update the available fields list. This approach causes two queries to be sent to the underlying source: This approach generally works well if there are hundreds or thousands of categories, as in this example. This table uses direct query and cannot be shown 10-21-2020 08:33 AM Hi, I hope you can help me. With DirectQuery such table cannot be built, and as a result, the built-in hierarchy doesnt work in DirectQuery. Apply filters first: When first designing reports, we recommend that you apply any applicable filtersat report, page, or visual levelbefore mapping fields to the visual fields. For more information, see Indexes on Computed Columns. DirectQuery opens a default maximum number of 10 concurrent connections. Specifically, focused on manufacturing, product, or technology companies. However, even with DirectQuery, the Power BI service keeps some caches of data at the visual level, because of scheduled refresh of tiles. Avoid use of bi-directional relationship filtering: Use of bi-directional relationship filtering can lead to query statements that don't perform well. Note: When you switch from Import Mode to Direct Query Mode, you will not be able to switch back to Direct Query mode. If the measures operate in a satisfactory manner, you can define more complex measures, but pay attention to performance. Like the measure filters, it will also result in two queries being sent to the underlying data source. The article also describes how to get detailed information to help you optimize reports. For relational sources, you can still select a set of tables that define a query that logically returns a set of data. You can't use these statements in subqueries. I see myself eventually . If product SKU must be added to visuals, it should be visible only in the Sales table. These limits apply to cloud data sources and on-premises data sources such as SQL Server, Oracle, and Teradata. DirectQuery for Power BI datasets and Azure Analysis Services (preview Such totals should be switched off (by using the Format pane) if not necessary. Queries defined in Power Query Editor must be valid within this context. When you use multiple data sources, it's important to understand the security implications of how data moves back and forth between the underlying data sources. The general format of Power BI Desktop queries is to use subqueries for each model table the queries reference. This data presents issues for solutions based on data import. You should use DirectQuery only for sources that can provide interactive query performance. Adding new calculations, like calculated columns and measures. These transformations are more limited in DirectQuery. The dashboard tiles can also be updated more frequently, as often as every 15 minutes. DirectQuery for Power BI datasets and Azure Analysis Services (preview You can edit those queries before loading the data, for example to apply filters, aggregate the data, or join different tables. This approach initially eliminates certain components, such as the Power BI gateway. For multidimensional sources like SAP BW, you can't switch from DirectQuery to import mode either, because of the different treatment of external measures. This approach again sends two queries to the underlying source. I'm investing myself into four major focuses:<br><br>(1) As a data, product, and strategy expert. If you use a transformation that's too complex, you get an error that either it must be deleted or the connection model switched to import. The number of users that share the report and dashboard. This limit is intended to prevent issues caused by overly long execution times. Power BI, Power BI Premium, and Power BI Report Server impose different limits. PowerBI table does not show value when using "Direct query" table Don't use the relative data filtering in Power Query Editor. Table and column references using DAX variables - SQLBI However, the first query will return all categories from the underlying source, and then the top N are determined based on the returned results. Again, this approach commonly leads to poor performance. When you use DirectQuery to connect to a data source in Power BI Desktop, the following results occur: You use Get Data to select the source. Premium capacities let you exceed the one-million row limit. The Power BI Desktop\Traces folder opens. Using a live connection is similar to DirectQuery. Each query group has the following events: A Query Begin and Query End event, which represent the start and end of a DAX query generated by changing a visual or filter in the Power BI UI, or from filtering or transforming data in the Power Query Editor. The Power BI store ensures the query is fast, and that all changes to the visual reflect immediately. Rather than generate an expression that the relationship uses, it generates a multi-column SQL join predicate. Direct Query in Power BI What, When & Why? I have been following the same steps and it has always worked fine. Power Query Editor defines the exact subselect queries. Limit the number of visuals on a page: When you open a page or change a page level slicer or filter, all the visuals on the page refresh. More limitations might apply to individual sources. Remove milliseconds data from your source columns. When reviewing the data model for Tailwind Traders, you see that the query connected Power BI Desktop to the source data using DirectQuery. But returning the slicer to its original value could result in it again showing the cached previous value. For multidimensional sources like SAP Business Warehouse (SAP BW), you select only the source. The ability to add custom columns in a direct query depends on the ability for the query to fold. No queries are sent until you select the Apply button on the filter or slicer. For example, including Customer and TotalSalesQuantity could hit this limit if there are more than 1 million customers, until you apply some filter. Each query group has the following events: A Query Begin and Query End event, which represent the start and end of a DAX query generated by changing a visual or filter in the Power BI UI, or from filtering or transforming data in the Power Query Editor. Each AnalysisServicesWorkspace folder includes a Data subfolder that contains the trace file FlightRecorderCurrent.trc for the current Power BI session. Refreshing sends a new set of queries to the underlying source. The following sections list general implications of using DirectQuery, and limitations related to performance, security, transformations, modeling, and reporting. The only workaround is to materialize columns of an alternative type in the underlying data source. For example, in the service it's not possible to create any calculations, or use many analytical features, or refresh the metadata to reflect changes to the underlying schema. If your Add column operation is too complex to be handled by the connector it won't work. Find out more about the February 2023 update. It means that each query maps to a single relational database source table or view. The only workaround is to actually materialize the multiple columns into a single column in the underlying data source. Excel doesn't show hierarchies: For example, when you use Analyze in Excel, Excel doesn't show any hierarchies defined in Azure Analysis Services models or Power BI datasets that use DirectQuery. Some organizations have policies around data sovereignty, meaning that data can't leave the organization premises. It's possible to disable cross-highlighting and cross-filtering by default, though it can be overridden by editing interactions. Each user who opens a shared report, and each dashboard tile that refreshes, sends at least one query per visual to the underlying source. Keep measures simple: At least initially, it's recommended to limit measures to simple aggregates. However, the first query returns all categories from the underlying source, and then the TopN are determined based on the returned results. Do not select any gateway options for your Power BI datasets. To connect to a data source with DirectQuery: In the Home group of the Power BI Desktop ribbon, select Get data, and then select a data source that DirectQuery supports, such as SQL Server. Double-check that the top query is selected. Replacing multiple card visuals with a single multi-row card visual can achieve a similar page layout. Use Dataflow to setup a connection in PowerBI Service with OData ( https://yourcompany.operations.dynamics.com/data), and connect your PowerBI-file with the Dataflow from the PowerBI Dataflow-source in 'Get Data' on PowerBI Desktop. Only use this relationship feature when necessary, and it's usually the case when implementing a many-to-many relationship across a bridging table. Benefits of using DirectQuery - There are a few benefits to using DirectQuery: To ensure that opening a dashboard is fast, the tiles automatically refresh on a schedule, for example every hour. Even if there are no traces from the source, the trace file might contain useful details of how a query runs and how you can improve it. You must pay the same attention to sharing the report as for imported data, even if there are security rules defined in the underlying source. Regardless of improvements, the performance of the underlying data source is a major consideration when using DirectQuery. You should also try to isolate issues to an individual visual before you look at many visuals on a page. If both tables have no same columns, you may also find useful this approach: let Source = Sql.Database ("server\database", "Mclaren"), dbo_Capability = Table.Join ( Source { [Schema="dbo",Item="Information_Group"]} [Data], {"Capability"}, Source { [Schema="dbo",Item="Capability"]} [Data], {"ID"}, JoinKind.LeftOuter ) in dbo_Capability Changes that provide more flexibility when using imported data let you import more often, and eliminate some of the drawbacks of using DirectQuery. Performance issues or query failures can arise if the cardinality is large because of the one-million row limit. The following sections cover the three options for connecting to data: import, DirectQuery, and live connection. You can control refresh frequency depending on how frequently the data changes and the importance of seeing the latest data. Currently DirectQuery over SAP HANA treats data the same as a relational source, and produces behavior similar to import. DirectQuery in Power BI - Power BI | Microsoft Learn The following limitations are common to all DirectQuery sources. For example, rather than drag in TotalSalesAmount and ProductName, and then filter to a particular year, apply the filter on Year at the beginning. In many cases, additional queries must be sent to the underlying source to obtain the values for the totals. Examine the use of calculated columns and data type changes: DirectQuery models support adding calculations and Power Query steps to convert data types. A filter can only touch a table once. The trace file is in the Power BI Desktop folder for the current user, in a folder called AnalysisServicesWorkspaces. For more information, see max intermediate row set count. For more information about using large models in Power BI, see large datasets in Power BI Premium. First, create an M parameter of type Decimal Number (called EnteredValueParam) in the Power Query Editor: Then create a dummy query (in this case called EnteredValues) with no rows and a single numeric column to bind the parameter to. The data remains in SQL Server. The table below lists the upper limits of the active connections per data source for each Power BI environment. The following screenshot highlights a group of events for a query. It can be helpful for them to understand the general data architecture, including any relevant limitations described in this article. Using DirectQuery has some potentially negative implications. Every user sees the same data, unless row-level security is defined as part of the report. Specifically, the guidance is designed to help you determine whether DirectQuery is the appropriate mode for your model, and to improve the performance of your reports based on DirectQuery models. This use of subselect queries hasn't been shown to affect performance for the data sources DirectQuery supports. The earliest known humans arrived in these lands around 900,000 years ago. If using Excel is important for your scenarios, account for this issue in deciding whether to use DirectQuery. The table is around 20 million rows and 25 columns and it take around 15 mins to be totally loaded into Power BI The query finished executing on Snowflake in less that 2 mins and the remaining time was spent on transferring the data to Power BI We tried loading the same table from SQL Server it was ~7x faster Sales data from an enterprise data warehouse. Upon load, all the data defined by the queries imports into the Power BI cache. TopN filters: You can define advanced filters to filter on only the top or bottom N values ranked by some measure. Let them know to expect that refresh responses and interactive filtering may at times be slow. It increases the time taken to refresh the entire page, and it also increases the chance that visuals may display inconsistent results (for volatile data sources).