Build reports on HANA database

Hi, rpinxt 

DirectQuery mode in Power BI allows you to connect directly to your data source without importing the data into the Power BI model. While it offers benefits like real-time data access and reduced memory usage, it does come with certain limitations and considerations.
Here are some points to address your situation:
1. DirectQuery Limitations:
- Single Universe: As you've observed, DirectQuery mode typically allows querying only one data source (or "universe") at a time. When you enable DirectQuery, other options like manual data entry or adding new data become unavailable.
- Greyed-Out Options: The greyed-out options you're seeing are expected behavior in DirectQuery mode. It restricts certain operations to maintain the connection to the data source.
- Performance Considerations: While DirectQuery can be faster for specific scenarios, it also imposes a different workload on both the Power BI environment and the underlying data source. Optimizations may be needed at both ends to achieve good performance results.
2. Possible Approaches:
- Dataflow: You mentioned dataflows, and they can indeed help. Dataflows allow you to transform and combine data from multiple sources before loading it into Power BI. You can create a dataflow that combines data from different universes and then use that dataflow as a single source in your Power BI report.
- Composite Models: Although not directly related to DirectQuery, composite models allow you to combine data from both DirectQuery and imported sources within a single report. However, this approach has its own considerations and limitations.

The choice between DirectQuery and other modes depends on your specific use case, data volume, and performance requirements. It's essential to strike a balance between real-time access and efficient querying. Here are some links that may be helpful to you:

Use composite models: Use composite models in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

DataFlow: Creating a dataflow - Power BI | Microsoft Learn
DirectQuery model guidance: DirectQuery model guidance in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

DirectQuery in Power BI: DirectQuery in Power BI - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

How to Get Your Question Answered Quickly

Best Regards

Jianpeng Li

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