Power BI Desktop Import vs Live Connection with SQL Server Analysis Services data source

[micheledubose]

Hello,

I'm using Power BI Desktop optimized for Report Server. When connecting to a SQL Server Analysis Services data source, I'm presented with the options to choose Import or Live Connection.  When I created my SSAS tabular model data source, it was created using DirectQuery mode.  In Desktop, if I choose Import and since the SSAS ddata source is using DirectQuery, would I recieve current data? Or, would I have to refresh the data in Desktop to get current data?

[Anonymous]

micheledubosee 
There are 2 ways if you connected with directquery mode, It can refresh to newest data each time you interact the visuals in the report on report server. Or you can setup a schedule refresh. How to configure Power BI report scheduled refresh - Power BI | Microsoft Docs

PaulZhengg _ Community Support Team
If this post helps, please Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[lbendlin]

Import means you have to manage the refreshes.

[micheledubose]

Hi @lbendlin ,

Once the report is created in Desktop and published to Report Server, will the report automatically refresh each time it's opened?

[lbendlin · Accepted solution]

It will not.  You would need to use Direct Query, not import mode.