Indexing on SQL Server

[Anonymous]

Hi there,

Do I need to create index on SQL server database tables when I pull data into power BI desktop?

Or Power BI will handle that.

What abount direct query against sql server do I need to create index on the tables?

P.S. I'm using non clustered column store index on all my tables

Thanks,

Oded Dror

[v-yuta-msft]

Hi odeddror,

If you connect to your sql server instance using import mode, you can add an additional index column in power query, click Query Editors-> Add Columns-> Index Column. If using direct query/live connection mode, you should create index column in your database because power bi doesn't allow users to create any custom columns in power query or calculate columns in DAX in direct query/live connection mode.

Regards,

Jimmy Tao

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Jimmy,

Thank you

Ed Dror

[Anonymous]

Jimmy,

Thank you for the explanation, my question was should I create an index in SQL Server or not?

Is Power BI its own machanism to handle that?

Thanks

[v-yuta-msft]

@Anonymous,

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Thank you for the explanation, my question was should I create an index in SQL Server or not?

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That's based on your requirement. For example, if you need to achieve some result in some measures based off the relationships between up and down rows, you can create an index column.

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Is Power BI its own machanism to handle that?

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Yes, like SQL script in SQL Server, you can also wirte Power Query or DAX function to use the index column.

Regards,

Jimmy Tao

[Anonymous]

Thank you (I have difficulty to mak your answer - I'm getting authentication issue when I submit)

Oded Dror

[v-yuta-msft]

Hi odeddror,

This may caused by your power bi forumn authentication is expired, you may refresh the browser several times to solve this issue.

Regards,

Jimmy Tao