Does daily refresh limits 8(pro) or 48 (ppu) only apply to Import Connections?

[ERing]

One of my business users asked if the daily refresh limits of 8 (pro licenses)  and 48 (ppu licenses) only apply when using import mode or also apply when using Direct Query?

We are trying to understand what our licensing needs will be in the future.

I'd like to be clear on this before I provide a response and I haven't been able to find anything clearly answers this.

Any help? 

[Atif2917 · Accepted solution]

The daily refresh limits in Power BI are primarily related to datasets that use the "Import" data connectivity mode. These limits specify how often you can refresh your data based on your Power BI subscription type:

1. Power BI Pro (8 times per day): With a Power BI Pro license, you can refresh your datasets up to 8 times per day. This limit applies to datasets set to the "Import" data connectivity mode.

2. Power BI Premium (48 times per day): Power BI Premium offers more frequent data refreshes, allowing you to refresh your datasets up to 48 times per day. Again, this limit applies to datasets set to the "Import" data connectivity mode.

For datasets that use other data connectivity modes such as "DirectQuery" or "Live Connection," the concept of refreshes is different. In these modes, the data remains in the source system, and Power BI queries the data in real-time or near-real-time, so there is no need for scheduled data refreshes as in the "Import" mode.

It's essential to choose the appropriate data connectivity mode based on your data source, data volume, and refresh frequency requirements. If you need more frequent data refreshes and you are working with larger datasets, a Power BI Premium or Premium Per User (PPU) subscription may be more suitable due to their higher refresh limits and additional features.

[arvindsingh802 · Accepted solution]

Yes, the refresh limit only applicable for import mode.

As you are planning for licensing, I would recommend to look for other features i.e. how you will be distributing the reports, how big the dataset will grow as well.

[ERing]

Thanks!

[Atif2917 · Accepted solution]

The daily refresh limits in Power BI are primarily related to datasets that use the "Import" data connectivity mode. These limits specify how often you can refresh your data based on your Power BI subscription type:

1. Power BI Pro (8 times per day): With a Power BI Pro license, you can refresh your datasets up to 8 times per day. This limit applies to datasets set to the "Import" data connectivity mode.

2. Power BI Premium (48 times per day): Power BI Premium offers more frequent data refreshes, allowing you to refresh your datasets up to 48 times per day. Again, this limit applies to datasets set to the "Import" data connectivity mode.

For datasets that use other data connectivity modes such as "DirectQuery" or "Live Connection," the concept of refreshes is different. In these modes, the data remains in the source system, and Power BI queries the data in real-time or near-real-time, so there is no need for scheduled data refreshes as in the "Import" mode.

It's essential to choose the appropriate data connectivity mode based on your data source, data volume, and refresh frequency requirements. If you need more frequent data refreshes and you are working with larger datasets, a Power BI Premium or Premium Per User (PPU) subscription may be more suitable due to their higher refresh limits and additional features.