How can I combine multiple SQL Database sources staying DirectQuery?

[AFoulk]

For example: I DirectQuery some tables on our SQL server that are under a seperate database for Inventory, but I also want to grab some DirectQuery data from another database on that same server from our Sales tables. BI does not allow this within the same file without changing over to Import from DirectQuery. How can I get around this? Can I create 2 BI files, do Inventory data into 1 and Sales data into another, then somehow merge the 2 but still keep everything updating live through DirectQuery?

Sort of the same situation, I want to be able to mix those 2 database tables while also importing my own Excel file of reference data not currently on our SQL server. Is that possible as well at another point of merging? I haven't gotten to the point of publishing yet and wondered if making Matrix tables from each thing would allow me to merge them when published to the BI Service somehow....

Thoughts/Help???

[Anonymous]

Hi @AFoulk,

Current power bi not support connect to multiple sql databases with directquery mode.

Limitations of DirectQuery
There are currently a few limitations to using DirectQuery:
All tables must come from a single database

For detail information you can refer to below link:

Use DirectQuery in Power BI Desktop

I'd like to suggest you link these database to one then use power bi to get data from the merged database:

Merge Multiple Databases into a Single Database

Regards,

Xiaoxin Sheng

[AFoulk]

Thank you for the feedback. We wouldn't be combining databases. There would be too many changes required and not worth that effort just to satisfy my BI needs.

I am continuing to play around and see what I can come up with to satisfy my end goal until Microsoft is able to make updates to BI that combining the end results somehow into 1 BI file is an option.

[Anonymous]

Hi @AFoulk,

Perhaps you can submit your requirement to ideas.

Regards,
Xiaoxin Sheng

[AFoulk]

I found what appeared to be a similar or same type of request in the ideas area that just broke 100 votes. I would think that type of update shouldn't be too tough for allowing multiple sources to join together, but that isn't my expertise. I'll keep my fingers crossed