how does import work after data refresh

[Anonymous]

How does import work after data refresh at PBI Services.

I have some Visuals and Slicer, using Azure SQL DB and data is refreshing by using PBI gateway ent.

just want to know after data refresh, how data is flowing into Dashboard/Visuals. suppose if i select a value in slicer then visual would be filtered. Is this data trasferring back into sql db. if NO then how does it work and how can i improve the performance here.

[v-ljerr-msft]

Hi @Anonymous,

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suppose if i select a value in slicer then visual would be filtered. Is this data trasferring back into sql db. if NO then how does it work and how can i improve the performance here.

No, it is not transferring back to your Azure SQL DB.

With import mode, after publish or refresh, your data will be pushed into the Power BI Azure backend (Azure DB/Blob Storage) (in the Service), so it will transfer to Power BI Azure backend instead. 

Here is an article about Data Import Best Practices in Power BI, could you go to check if it helps in your scenario? 

Regards

[djnww]

I believe @Anonymous was asking whether the visual would send a request to pull the appropriate data from the SQL DB. If so, then the answer would be 'Yes'.

@Anonymous, there is a clear difference between 'Import' and 'Direct Query' with SQL. This article sums them up.

https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/powerbi-desktop-use-directquery/

Cheers,
D

[Anonymous]

@djnww @v-ljerr-msft .. I am describing again what i want to know. First forget about direct query in my scenario.

I am importing my data from Azure SQL DB --> creating some Visuals --> publishing ---> refreshing the data on scheduled time.

Now, I am asking how does my dashboards/Visuals showing data on power bi services. Once i select any filter then how does my data is filtering. Is data flowing back to db ( or some where else like in cache). i know it is in-memory but still from where I am getting my data in visuals.

so, my actual question is, Can i optimize this behaviour further. Suppose dashboard is published and I select one country --India --> visuals are taking time for showing data against India. Can I optimized this time?? 

[djnww]

Hi @Anonymous,

There are 2 ways to connect your desktop file to SQL. Only DirectQuery allows your PowerBI Online to be refreshed automatically.

DirectQuery means that processing is done on your SQL server environment. It only grabs what is required. Yes, this is the most efficient method, but it may chew up resources if your database is being used for other purposes.

Cheers,

D