Incremental refresh questions

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone,
I checked the documentation and watch tutorials but there are some issues that I want to be sure
Here my questions:

1. We have to create parameters named as RangeStart and RangeEnd but what are they for? What are they perform?

For example I have a datetime column in a table and first date is 01/01/2019 and last date is 06/02/2020 and it is updating hourly. What should I write on RangeStart and RangeEnd?

2. Should I add incremental refresh to all tables which has suitable datetime column, are there any best practices?

What did or would you do?

3. I have a model which has import and direct queries both. For direct query is it possible to create incremental refresh, or only for import tables? If yes for direct query how does it work?

Any comment would be helpful, thanks a lot

[v-lionel-msft]

Hi @Anonymous ,

1. "...but what are they for? ..."

In Power BI Desktop

 These parameters can be used to filter the data imported into Power BI Desktop.

(The column is filtered must has the same data type as parameter.)

In Power BI Service

Filter the dataset and dynamically partition the data into ranges once published to the Power BI service.

2. "...What should I write on RangeStart and RangeEnd?"

The values is decided by your business needs.

The parameter values are substituted by the service to filter for each partition.

There's no need to set them in dataset settings in the service.

Once published, the parameter values are overridden automatically by the Power BI service.

3. "Should I add incremental refresh to all tables which has suitable datetime column, are there any best practices?"

For your data model, you only need to add Incremental refresh to a table, because your data model is a whole.

4. "For direct query is it possible to create incremental refresh, or only for import tables? "

The best way is to do it:

Steps to set up Incremental refresh:

1. create parameters.

2. filter the date column

3. right click the table and set incremental refresh

4. publish the report

...

Best regards,
Lionel Chen

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[Anonymous]

@v-lionel-msft

Thanks for the answer,

(3). "Should I add incremental refresh to all tables which has suitable datetime column, are there any best practices?"

For your data model, you only need to add Incremental refresh to a table, because your data model is a whole.

Just to clarify, When I add incremantal refresh to one single table and does it effect whole model?

Thanks

[v-lionel-msft]

Hi @Anonymous ,

Yes, because there must be a relationship between the tables in your data model, even if there is no relationship between the tables, if you can refer to tables that is not related in a measure or calculated column, the tables can actually affect each other.

Best regards,
Lionel Chen

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.