Unable to use Direct query with Gen1 Dataflows

[vamshikrishna20]

Hi All, 

we have been using Gen1 dataflows from past 5,6 months and able to connect to dataflow tables from pbi desktop in Direct query mode. But today, when i was trying to connect to my dataflow tables from PBI i can only see import and unable to connect with direct query. 

Is anyone facing similar issue ?

[v-karpurapud]

Hi @vamshikrishna20 

Thank you for contacting the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.

This behavior is not due to your configuration but is instead a regression introduced in the August Power BI Desktop release, which has temporarily broken DirectQuery support for Gen1 dataflows. Even with Premium capacity, Enhanced Compute Engine enabled, and refreshed entities, the “View” option no longer appears, resulting in only Import being available. As of now roll back to the July Desktop build , where DirectQuery continues to function as expected. While some users have had partial success on the August build by clearing cache and credentials under Options & Settings, this does not consistently resolve the issue.  In the meantime, please consider upvoting the existing Idea Direct Query Mode Missing which was already submitted by @JP8991  so the issue is prioritized.

Regards,
Karpurapu D.

[JP8991]

My team and I are all experiencing this too.

I do find it unbelievable that these things get through QA, last month it was the Lakehouse.Contents() connector this month it is Direct Query and Query Folding.

I have created an issue here:

https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Issues/Direct-Query-Mode-Missing/idi-p/4799096

Very frustrating.

[jeffharrison]

I am also encountering this exact same issue.  I'm working with a composite model that has DQ to Dataflows and the model will not refresh locally so I'm basically dead in the water until this is figured out.

[rohit1991]

Hi @vamshikrishna20 

DirectQuery for Gen1 dataflows will only show if:

• Your workspace is on Premium/PPU/Fabric capacity

• Enhanced compute engine is turned on in the dataflow, and the dataflow has been refreshed

• You connect through Get Data >> Dataflows and pick entities that show the small “View” icon (not plain tables)

If any of these conditions aren’t met, only Import is offered. Also, some recent Power BI Desktop builds temporarily hid the DirectQuery option updating to the latest version or restarting often fixes it.

[vamshikrishna20]

Hi @rohit1991 

My workspace is Premium, Enhanced compute engine enabled, and refreshed. But still can't see view icon which was working till yesterday. Also this seems like issue with version since i was able to connect in July version but not in August version.

[rohit1991]

Hi @vamshikrishna20 

You’re right, it’s the August Desktop build, not your setup.

What I’d do:

• Roll back to July Desktop (or use the Store build). The View icon for Gen1 dataflows shows again and DQ works.

• If you must stay on August:

  1. File >> Options & settings >> Data source settings >> Global >> remove Power Platform/Dataflows creds, sign in again.

  2. Options >> Data Load >> Clear cache, restart Desktop.

  3. Connect via Get data >> Dataflows (not the legacy connector).

If the icon still isn’t there, stick with July until Microsoft ships the fix.