Advantages of connecting data via direct Excel workbook or SharePoint Folder

[Tyron]

Hi 

After conducting research and looking through numerous how to connect data to Power BI videos, specifically Excel data, I am yet to find a post / blog / documentation regarding the advantages of connecting data via:

directly connecting to the Excel file

or

connecting to the Excel file by using the SharePoint folder option.

Looking in the context of speed in both connecting and refreshing, adding or removing columns from the Excel file and anything else that can be classified as an advantage. Or is this a case that is doesn't matter which way you connect the Excel file.

Thansk and appreciate any insights given.

[v-henryk-mstf · Accepted solution]

Hi @Tyron ,

You can use SharePoint folders or web connectors to connect to excel data sources.
Refer to the following steps.

or connect to web

Select the Excel file, copy the file path information; then paste the link into the Web Connector and log in to your SharePoint account

For more details, you can read related blog as below:

Combining Excel Files hosted on a SharePoint folder with Power BI | Microsoft Power BI Blog | Micros...

Best Regards,
Henry

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[amitchandak]

@Tyron , As long as you can automate the excel refresh on sharepoint, you should use excel from sharepoint. You will not need on premise gateway in that case.  Incremental can directly use sharepoint details

The features are same once file is imported in power bi