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

Score big with last-minute savings on the final tickets to FabCon Vienna. Secure your discount

Reply
naresh202
Frequent Visitor

Can Power BI Dataflow have a Direct Query/Connection to data source like SQL server (on-premise)

Hi Everyone,

Can we have a direct/live connection to source system (SQL server On-Premise) using Dataflow.
Our Project requirement is, to get data into Power BI via Gateway for Reporting needs, so we want to know is Direct Query connection to source system SQL server (on-premise database) is possible from Dataflow and DataGateway.
If yes, please let me know how do we configure it.

 

Thanks,

Naresh

 

3 REPLIES 3
NandanHegde
Super User
Super User

Based on my understanding, Power BI dataflow doesnt support direct query and only import mode.

Power BI dataset supports direct query to database.

Any reason why you need PowerBi dataflow to have direct query rather than dataset/semantic model?




----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nandan Hegde (MSFT Data MVP)
LinkedIn Profile : www.linkedin.com/in/nandan-hegde-4a195a66
GitHUB Profile : https://github.com/NandanHegde15
Twitter Profile : @nandan_hegde15
MSFT MVP Profile : https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-US/MVP/profile/8977819f-95fb-ed11-8f6d-000d3a560942
Topmate : https://topmate.io/nandan_hegde
Blog :https://datasharkx.wordpress.com

Thanks Nandan for the reply !!

The requirement is to have a connection to Datasource via DataGateway before we start Report development.

I can't see Power BI desktop having an option to Getdata via DataGateway.

 

Thanks,

Naresh

 

Power BI desktop is a server installation, so there is no need of gateway.

gateway is a brdige between PowerBI service (Cloud) and your on prem server.

 

So the only way is for you to create a dummy report and publish to service and test the gateway in connection settings.




----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nandan Hegde (MSFT Data MVP)
LinkedIn Profile : www.linkedin.com/in/nandan-hegde-4a195a66
GitHUB Profile : https://github.com/NandanHegde15
Twitter Profile : @nandan_hegde15
MSFT MVP Profile : https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-US/MVP/profile/8977819f-95fb-ed11-8f6d-000d3a560942
Topmate : https://topmate.io/nandan_hegde
Blog :https://datasharkx.wordpress.com

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.