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jdwalker5
Helper II
Helper II

Do I need a gateway for Direct Query to SQL Server?

Hello,

 

I've read a few related posts regarding this topic but still don't have a clear understanding.  Just need to know if you have to have a gateway to refresh if you're connected to a SQL Server data source and using direct query storage mode.

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION
Watsky
Solution Sage
Solution Sage

Hi @jdwalker5 ,

For SQL Server you do need a gateway connection.

Watsky_0-1635520484240.png

If by SQL Server you actually meant Azure SQL Database then you would not need a gateway connection. 

Watsky_0-1635520672926.png

 

Take a look at Power BI data sources - Power BI | Microsoft Docs. This explains which data sources require a gateway connection. 

Hope this helps.


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2 REPLIES 2
Watsky
Solution Sage
Solution Sage

Hi @jdwalker5 ,

For SQL Server you do need a gateway connection.

Watsky_0-1635520484240.png

If by SQL Server you actually meant Azure SQL Database then you would not need a gateway connection. 

Watsky_0-1635520672926.png

 

Take a look at Power BI data sources - Power BI | Microsoft Docs. This explains which data sources require a gateway connection. 

Hope this helps.


Did my answer(s) help you? Give it a kudos by clicking the Thumbs Up!
Did my post answer your question(s)? Mark my post as a solution. This will help others find the solution.

Proud to be a Super User!

Thank you for the link.  That explains what I needed to know.  The reason I ask is my organization uses both Power BI and Tableau.  The Tableau folks don't understand why a gateway is necessary because I guess it refreshes data differently.  I don't know enough about Tableau to speak to it.

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