What is import model in power bi

[Heena_9980400]

Hi Experts,

I want to know what is import model and how it gets created.

Warm Regards,

K

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi  @Heena_9980400 ,

Import mode is to import data into the Power BI cache for storage, which is equivalent to a copy and snapshot, so when interacting with reports, go directly to this Power BI cache to get data, because Power BI copies the data, you must refresh the dataset to fetch changes from the underlying data sources.

The two connection modes, Direct Query and LiveConnection, do not directly import data. The former is modeled in Power BI, but no data is stored in it. The data is obtained by connecting with the data source through data credentials. The latter will not be modeled in Power BI, because AS data sources that support LiveConnection have functions that conform to Power BI modeling.

It is possible to connect directly to the modeling of the data source itself to obtain data by connecting with the data source through the data credentials.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/refresh-data

There are many data sources that support Import mode, the most important ones are Excel, CSV, etc. The following is how Power BI connects to Excel:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/desktop-connect-excel

After connecting, you can click Model View -Advanced - Storage mode, you can see the Import connection mode

Notice:

Import connection mode in Power BI Desktop, all three Views can be seen

Direct Query connection mode can configure the relationship, there are Report View and Mode View

The Live Connection connection mode only has Report View, and the configuration relationship needs to be configured in the data source

This is also a way of distinguishing the three connection modes.

Best Regards,

Liu Yang

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[AbbasG]

@Heena_9980400  here is the detailed documentation of all the modes in Power BI - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/service-dataset-modes-understand

Hope it helps.