Change database connection type Import to Direct Query

[dpombal]

I want to import from SQL Server on PowerBI desktop but after creating dashboards how can I change connection type to Direct Query to publish it online and keep it updated

[alanhodgson · Accepted solution]

Hey @dpombal,

Unfortunately this can not be done with the current version of PBI Desktop for a few reasons:

1. If you have made any changes to the data model after importing it into Desktop, then all those changes would be removed.

2. Import allows you to create relationships throughout the data structure and if you could change to direct query, then all those relationships would be broken.

3. Conflicts in the data model that the import can handle, but direct query may not and vice vera.

Best solution is to rebuild the reports. Sorry for the bad news!

Hope this helps,

Alan