Shouldn't my data refresh automatically when using Direct Query?

[ERing]

I have several reports using a Direct Query connection to a Snowflake database. My end users are looking for the reports to have refreshed data, but the data isn't getting refreshed unless I set a refresh schedule in the Service.

I've noticed this preview message when opening Power Query, and i've confirmed it's accurate. The Snowflake tables are updated several times a day, so what is stopping my reports from pulling in that new data?

[edhans]

No, not in Power BI Desktop. It will cache data to help speed up development, so you might need to hit that refresh.

That doesn't happen once published. Always "live" data.

[ERing]

@edhans The reports are not updating in the service unless i set up a scheduled refresh. My end users are sending me screen captures showing new data isn't being pulled in and I've confirmed they are correct. 

[edhans]

Have you set the page up for automatic refresh?
Automatic page refresh in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

How much data are you looking at here? Direct Query is not a good way to build a report as a rule - too many limitations and depending on the calculation, it can be really slow vs import mode. Running totals via DQ are notoriously slow.

I suspect your development life would be easier if you switched to import, refreshed every hour during business hours. It is rare people need true "real time updates." 

To top it off, the Snowflake people tell you DQ is better because every time a user looks at the report, it refreshes, pulls data, and cha-ching$$$ more money for Snowflake since that is part of their business model.

I have a client that uses Snowflake and we are almost 100% import. Much better user experience.

[ERing]

Yes, auto page refresh is set up, however this shouldn't be required, right?

The workspace settings show each dataset is 2MB, but this doesn't seem right. One of the reports has two tables that are over 5 million records each.

I've tried using Import, but its been very difficult for me to work with. My tables take a very long time to refresh, so much so that I don't believe it would be feasible for the end users. 

[j_ocean]

Have the users tried hitting the reresh data button in the upper right? Even direct query uses a cache in their individual browsers. 

[ERing]

@j_ocean Yes, this is why I'm confused.