ODBC vs SQL

[vejas]

Hello , 

  I have SQL database and our ERP connects to SQL using ODBC. I can Get Data to Power BI both ways - connecting SQL server database and ODBC. Which way should i prefer ?

[zoloturu · Accepted solution]

@vejas,

ODBC is slower. But is very comfortable when you have a lot of people who do different reporting and creation of reports in Power BI. And only admin manage this connection. If IP of ERP has been changed from production to testing or developement or backup IP then you change it in only one place. 

[v-yuezhe-msft]

@vejas,

I would recommend you use the built-in SQL Server connector in Power BI Desktop, with this connector, you have two modes(Import or Directquery) to choose. 

DirectQuery lets you build visualizations over very large datasets, you can choose it based on your business requirement.



Regards,
Lydia

[Greg_Deckler]

ODBC is notoriously slow.