Can we establish a live connection and get live data in power bi report from Dataverse?

[Anonymous]

Can we establish a live connection and get live data in power bi report from Dataverse?

[Ritaf1983 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous 

Yes, you can establish a live connection to Dataverse (formerly known as the Common Data Service) from Power BI, but DirectQuery is the method used to achieve near real-time data updates, rather than a traditional live connection like you might have with Analysis Services.

How it Works:

1. DirectQuery Mode:

   • When you connect Power BI to Dataverse using DirectQuery, Power BI does not import the data. Instead, every time you interact with the report (e.g., filtering, slicing, etc.), Power BI sends a query directly to Dataverse and fetches the data in near real-time.
   • This gives you the ability to work with the most up-to-date data from Dataverse without needing to refresh the dataset manually.

2. Dataverse Connector in Power BI:

   • Power BI includes a built-in Dataverse connector, allowing you to choose between DirectQuery or Import modes.
   • DirectQuery provides near real-time data updates but can be slower for large datasets, while Import mode brings the data into Power BI, allowing for faster interactions but requires manual or scheduled refreshes.

Key Considerations:

• Performance: DirectQuery can be slower compared to Import mode because every interaction triggers a query to Dataverse. For complex reports or larger datasets, performance may be a concern.
• Data Modeling Limitations: Some advanced features (such as creating certain calculated columns and measures) may not be available in DirectQuery mode.
• Row Limitations: Dataverse has a row limit of 80 MB per query in DirectQuery mode. If your data exceeds this limit, you may need to adjust your report or use Import mode.
  

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