Gateway vs Direct Connectivity

[giro17]

Hi guys

I was wondering:

What's the difference between having a PBI report that is connected to the data (say SQL) via gateway and a DirectQuery created in PBI service to that same SQL data?

cheers

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

@giro17,

When you connecting to SQL Server data source in Power BI, it requires gateway to refresh the dataset both in import mode and DirectQuery mode.

For import mode, there is 1GB pbix file limitation , and it limits to refresh 8 times a day unless you have Premium license. For DirectQuery mode, there is no such limitations. For other difference, please take a look at the following blog.

http://www.presencecg.com/blog/power-bi-debate-directquery-vs-import/

Regards,
Lydia