State the advantages of the Direct query method in Power BI? Power BI interview questions and answers 260

 State the advantages of the Direct query method in Power BI?

Here are the key advantages of using the DirectQuery method in Power BI:

1. Near Real-Time Data:

• Directly connects to the underlying data source, enabling visualizations to reflect the most up-to-date data without manual refreshes.

• Ideal for scenarios where data changes frequently and users require immediate insights without delays.

2. Handling Large Datasets:

• Avoids loading massive datasets into Power BI's memory, reducing resource consumption and improving performance.

• Enables analysis of massive datasets that otherwise might be too large to import efficiently.

3. Data Security and Governance:

• Enforces data security rules and access restrictions defined in the source system, ensuring data privacy and integrity.

• Prevents users from downloading or exporting sensitive data, maintaining compliance with data governance policies.

4. Reduced Data Duplication:

• Eliminates the need to store copies of data in both the source system and Power BI, saving storage space and reducing data redundancy.

• Ensures consistency and minimizes the risk of discrepancies between different data copies.

5. Simplified Data Maintenance:

• Changes made to the source data are automatically reflected in Power BI reports, reducing the need for manual updates or re-imports.

• Streamlines data management and ensures reports always display the latest information.

6. Enhanced Collaboration:

• Multiple users can interact with the same live data source simultaneously, enabling real-time collaboration and analysis.

• Fosters teamwork and promotes sharing of insights across teams.

7. Reduced Power BI File Size:

• Doesn't store data within the Power BI file, resulting in smaller file sizes and easier distribution.

• Optimizes storage and improves report load times.

8. Integration with External Data Sources:

• Connects to a wide range of external data sources, including databases, cloud services, and data warehouses, expanding analysis capabilities.

• Brings together data from disparate systems for comprehensive insights.

Additional Advantages:

• Reduced Impact on Source Systems: Queries are sent directly to the source system, potentially reducing the load on the source database compared to full import.

• Optimized for Fast-Changing Data: Ideal for scenarios where data is constantly updated or added, ensuring reports always reflect the latest information.

• Enhanced Performance for Large Datasets: Can improve performance when working with very large datasets, as data is not stored locally in Power BI.