Is DirectQuery Real Time or Needs Refresh

[Anonymous]

I just want to clarify the following from Microsoft's official documentation.

From what I understand, when you're connected through DirectQuery mode, you're data in the Report is always up to date. This means, I don't need to schedule any refresh in Power BI Service. The refresh is only relevant when I have a Power BI dashboard. Is my understanding correct? If not, can anyone shed some light about this?

Thanks in advance!

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/desktop-directquery-about

[hnguy71 · Accepted solution]

DirectQuery has live data which is the most current data. However, in order for your visual to update with the current data you'll still need query the source, ie, choose REFRESH button. 

Take note that you will also be limited with transformations and dax

[TomMartens · Accepted solution]

Hey,

using the connection mode "direct query" mode means:

• your data will not be copied into the Power BI data model
• whenever a user interacts with a visual (a slicer, a barchar ...) queries will be generated that are querying the data source, for this reason it is valid to say that the visuals will show the most recendt data. But the report will not update automatically, just due user interaction.
• Dashboard tiles will be refreshed automatically every 15min.

Regards,

Tom

[hnguy71 · Accepted solution]

DirectQuery has live data which is the most current data. However, in order for your visual to update with the current data you'll still need query the source, ie, choose REFRESH button. 

Take note that you will also be limited with transformations and dax