Forum Discussion
Difference between live connection and direct query mode
Sunkari Another thing to note in difference. Live Connection refers to connecting directly to a Model (SSAS Multidimensional or Tabular) in this regard, all your modeling work is done on those. With Direct Query - you are connecting to a database, and you have the ability to create calculated columns and measures in Power BI. So, Power BI serves as your model layer, while still keeping your data in your databases.
Sunkari Live connection or DirectQuery are essentially same thing. Both connects to your on-prem data source and keeps connected so when you interact with your visuals queries are sent to on-prem and results returned back are updatd in visual. You can do further reading here to understand difference between Live connection / DirectQuery and Import.