Linked Entities disable load - effect on data storage

[I_LOVE_POWER_BI]

Hi guys,

I searched the whole internet, but didn't find a very precise answer here:

Using linked dataflows, what is actually going to happen if I uncheck the "enable load" option in that linked query?

The very obvious things that happen after disabling the data load:

• I am now able to change the query just like any normal query
• The linked symbol and describtion disappears
• The lineage changes and therefore also the refresh trigger automatism

1. So I guess if I want to continue to enjoy the benefits of a "linked entity" - I must not disable its loads, even if I won't use that query at all, because I create a reference query afterwards, correct?
2. Especially in terms of data loading & storage - if I disable the load, will the query be physically loaded again in the dataflow or is it actually still a (secret) linked dataflow and the data load happens only once in the original dataflow still?

Side note: Having the load of linked dataflows enabled (when those are not the final queries but only basis for computed reference queries) it gets confusing from an end user perspective seeing the linked entity as an option to chose, when he/she actually shouldn't, because it is only a pre-step and the computed entity (reference) shall be used instead.

This is confusing to me, would be great to get some updates in the MS.docs on this topic too - the options are mentioned but the effect is not clearly described.

Thanks!!!

[agusmba]

I started playing around recently with dataflows.

From what I can see, you are correct (point 1).

In my case I'm more interested in the auto-bind feature of deployment pipelines, and that won't work unless the linked entities are loaded.

I'm following the recommendation of having an extraction dataflow that simply loads the source tables, and a second dataflow connected (with linked tables) to the first in order to transform the tables.

If I don't load the linked tables on the second dataflow, the won't be auto-bound to their new workspace equivalents when deployed, and will keep referencing the entities in the original workspace (not what we normally intend).

Even though I don't want users to "see" the original linked tables, I need to load them in the new dataflow, otherwise deployment autobind won't work.

[Anonymous]

Hi @I_LOVE_POWER_BI ,

Enable Load outputs the Data into the data lake ( dataflows ) Power BI desktop ( Model/dataset )
If Enable Load is disabled the query will not run or else is being referenced by any of the Enable Load Entities.

A user has asked a question similar to yours in the past, you can check out this original thread：

Disabling load on linked entity - what is effect on computed entity ? 

Best Regards,
Community Support Team _ Caitlyn

If this post helps then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[I_LOVE_POWER_BI]

Thanks you @Anonymous , glad to see your reply.

However, the answers in that post, which I read before, aren't formulated precise enough, so that I can for sure destinguish whether they talk about the referenced query or the linked entity.

So let me put it again in very simple words with screenshots:

• Data Load for the LINKED ENTITY is enabled

• Data Load for the LINKED ENTITY is disable and with it the reference that this is (or was?) a linked entity

So question is: Shall I or shall I not disable the load of the linked entity? I don't want to lose the benefit of the linked entity (=the be only loaded once in the orignal dataflow). So...?