Writing SQL query Vs Building Model in Power BI

[Anonymous]

Hi, 

I just wanted to understand your opinion on connecting to SQL server from Power BI. As per the best practices, which of the following would be more effective to bring the data in Power BI:

1. Using SQL statement under Advanced option

2. Load the data by selecting the tables or columns through Navigator 

Which are the Pros and Cons of each of the method?

Thanks,,

@Anonymous 

[Anonymous]

1. Using SQL statement under Advanced option

Pros:

If you are using a single table as a source then this is fine

Cons:

Need to have extensive SQL programming skills.

If there is more than one table then using filtering and cross-filtering may give weird results.

Maintaining is difficult if DB objects are changing frequently.

2. Load the data by selecting the tables or columns through Navigator 

Pros:

No need to have extensive SQL programming skills.

Maintaining is easy if DB objects are changing frequently.

Cons:

Need to have a good understanding of EDW concepts/ Kimball method.

[Anonymous]

Hi @Anonymous 

You explained really well, thanks for the answer. 

Can you please also highlight the performance impact in both the methods?