Skip to main content
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Compete to become Power BI Data Viz World Champion! First round ends August 18th. Get started.

Reply
alongi
Frequent Visitor

ODBC Connection to DB2 (Direct Query/Import)

Hi, i am connected via the ODBC connection to a DB2 database on an AS400. We are using a System DSN, the connection works fine. Does this automatically default to Direct Query? I dont see any options for Direct Query or Import when using the ODBC connector and the DSN.

 

Thank You

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Hi, @alongi 

Yes, this automatically defaults to import. You would have to load the data before you can start visualizing the data.

However, ODBC extensions can optionally enable DirectQuery mode, allowing Power BI to dynamically generate queries at runtime without pre-caching the user's data model.

For more details, please refer to this official document.

 Enabling Direct Query for an ODBC based connector.

 SqlODBC sample 

 

Best Regards,
Community Support Team _ Eason

View solution in original post

3 REPLIES 3
amitchandak
Super User
Super User

@alongi , By default it should use import. It will only show direct query, when it is supported ?

Share with Power BI Enthusiasts: Full Power BI Video (20 Hours) YouTube
Microsoft Fabric Series 60+ Videos YouTube
Microsoft Fabric Hindi End to End YouTube

Now that i see the data and the ability to transform it looks like you are correct as far as it defaulting to import. How would i be able to determine if direct query is an option though. there were any options to begin with, thanks

 

Hi, @alongi 

Yes, this automatically defaults to import. You would have to load the data before you can start visualizing the data.

However, ODBC extensions can optionally enable DirectQuery mode, allowing Power BI to dynamically generate queries at runtime without pre-caching the user's data model.

For more details, please refer to this official document.

 Enabling Direct Query for an ODBC based connector.

 SqlODBC sample 

 

Best Regards,
Community Support Team _ Eason

Helpful resources

Announcements
August Power BI Update Carousel

Power BI Monthly Update - August 2025

Check out the August 2025 Power BI update to learn about new features.

August 2025 community update carousel

Fabric Community Update - August 2025

Find out what's new and trending in the Fabric community.

Top Solution Authors