Importing Dilemma with SQL Server

[drallam]

Hi,

I have some data staged ona SQL server. I would like to import it to PBI Desktop.

I have two options Import and Direct Query. Off the bat the difference is i cannot see the Data button, although I unrestrict the DAX commands options in the Options Tab.

I want to referesh my data every day, not every hour(realtime). Will import work for that.

Also if I schedule a refresh in PB Service i need a gateway (that's another Issue i'm working currently) anyway.

So my question is the schedule refresh will go to the PBI Desktop imported Data to refresh or go to the server directly.
If doen't go to the server directly, I would have to manually refresh the data in PBI Desktop right?

Sorry if this is a dumb question. I read through a lot of articles and didn't get a clear pciture on the data refreshing side of it.

Thanks!

[TomMartens · Accepted solution]

Hey,

if your source data resides in a SQL Server, no matter if you use DirectQuery (the data will not be copied) or Import (the data will be copied) you need a gateway if do not want to personally interfere with the data access.

If do not want to or can not use a gateway, you have to personally update your dataset using Power BI desktop in Import mode and then you have to republish your dataset to the Power BI Service.

You also have to consider the amount of data that you want "expose" to your users in the Power BI Service, not just now but also in the next 2 to 3 years. If you are talking about "Big Data" you should consider DirectQuery because of the dataset limit in the Service, if you are not using Power BI Premium tiers.

Hope this clarifies it, at least a little 😉

Regards

[drallam]

Hi Tom,

I don't want to personally update the dataset using Power BI Desktop. So If i used a direct query can I accomplish that?

Regarding the gateway, my IT team tells we have an enterprise Gateway and you don't need the personal mode. I cannot find the enterprise Gateway at all anywehre in Power BI Service.

[v-chuncz-msft]

@drallam,

To view the gateway, select the gear icon in the upper-right corner > Manage gateways.

https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/powerbi-gateway-enterprise-manage-sql/#add-a-gatew...