Three storage modes

• Import Mode
• DirectQuery Mode
• Dual Mode (Composite Mode)
 Import mode
• Data is imported and stored in Power BI’s in-
memory engine
• High performance
• Works well with large datasets
• Best suited for complex calculations and
aggregations.
• Consumes more RAM and storage
• Refreshing data requires reloading the entire
dataset,
 DirectQuery Mode
• Data remains in the original source, and Power
BI sends queries directly to the database
• No data is stored in Power BI,
• up-to-date data
• Performance depends on the database
• Limited support for complex transformations
and DAX calculations.
 Dual Mode (Composite Mode)
• either Import or DirectQuery mode
• Balances performance and real-time data
access
• Frequently used data is cached, while rarely
used data is retrieved on demand.
• Requires careful modeling
• Complexity increases as both modes have
different behaviors.
 Modifications to Storage Mode
• Power BI allows switching between storage
modes in Model View:
– Changing Import to DirectQuery: Not directly
possible; requires reconfiguring the dataset.
– Changing DirectQuery to Import: Allowed, but
data will be loaded into Power BI’s memory.
– Using Composite Mode: You can mix Import and
DirectQuery for flexibility.
 Important points to note down
• Context is Key: The "best" answer often depends on the specific
scenario outlined in the question. Pay close attention to the details
of the requirements.
• Performance vs. Freshness: The choice between Import and
DirectQuery often involves a trade-off between performance (Import
usually faster) and data freshness (DirectQuery always up-to-date).
• Data Volume: Large data volumes often make DirectQuery a more
practical choice, but aggregation and Dual mode can mitigate
performance issues.
• Data Transformation: Import mode allows for extensive data
transformation within Power Query.
• DAX: DirectQuery may have some limitations with certain DAX
functions, although this is becoming less of an issue.
• Question 1: In which storage mode are tables
solely stored in-memory, and queries are
fulfilled by cached data?
• A. Import
• B. DirectQuery
• C. Dual
• D. Native
• Import
• Question 2: Which storage mode leaves the
data at the data source and retrieves it upon
each query?
• A. Import
• B. DirectQuery
• C. Dual
• D. Live connection
• DirectQuery
• Question 3: Which storage mode allows a
table to act as both Import and DirectQuery,
depending on the query context?
• A. Import
• B. DirectQuery
• C. Dual
• D. Composite
• . Dual
• Question 4: You have a Sales table that needs
near real-time data and a SalesAggregate table
that is updated weekly. Which storage modes
should you use for these tables?
• A. Sales: Import; SalesAggregate: DirectQuery
• B. Sales: DirectQuery; SalesAggregate: Import
• C. Sales: Dual; SalesAggregate: Import
• D. Sales: Import; SalesAggregate: Dual
• B. Sales: DirectQuery; SalesAggregate: Import
• Question 5: Which storage modes will copy
data to Microsoft Power BI? Select all that
apply.
• A. DirectQuery mode
• B. Dual mode
• C. Import mode
• B. Dual mode; C. Import mode
• You plan to add data to Power BI Desktop from a
new data source. You are evaluating whether you
should use the DirectQuery storage mode or the
Import storage mode.
• What are two benefits of using DirectQuery
instead of Import? Each correct answer presents
a complete solution.
• What is the maximum number of data
refreshes per day?
• Select only one answer.
• 1
• 4
• 8
• 24
• 8
• What is the number of consecutive refresh
failures of DS1 that will automatically disable
the refresh schedule?
• 2
• 4
• 16
• 64
• 4
• What is the maximum number of refreshes
that can be scheduled each day?
• 1
• 8
• 16
• 48
• 48
• A business intelligence (BI) developer creates a dataflow in Power BI that uses
DirectQuery to access tables from an on-premises Microsoft SQL server. The
Enhanced Dataflows Compute Engine is turned on for the dataflow.
You need to use the dataflow in a report. The solution must meet the
following requirements:
✑ Minimize online processing operations.
✑ Minimize calculation times and render times for visuals.
✑ Include data from the current year, up to and including the previous day.
What should you do?

• A. Create a dataflows connection that has DirectQuery mode selected.

• B. Create a dataflows connection that has DirectQuery mode selected and
configure a gateway connection for the dataset.
• C. Create a dataflows connection that has Import mode selected and schedule
a daily refresh.
• D. Create a dataflows connection that has Import mode selected and create a
Microsoft Power Automate solution to refresh the data hourly.
• Create a dataflows connection that has Import
mode selected and schedule a daily refresh.
• You need to create the semantic model.

Which storage mode should you use for the

tables in the semantic model?
• A. DirectQuery
• B. Dual
• C. Import
• D. live connection
• Dual
• You plan to create a Power BI semantic model named Model1 that
will contain data from an Azure SQL database named DB1.

Model1 must show updated data within two minutes of the data
being updated in DB1.

You need to select a connectivity mode for the connection to DB1.

What should you choose?

• A. DirectQuery
• B. live connection
• C. import
• DirectQuery
• DirectQuery mode allows you to perform
complex data transformations within Power
BI.
• A) True
• B) False
• False
• Which of the following is a limitation of Import
mode in Power BI?
• A) Data must be refreshed periodically.
• B) Limited support for DAX functions.
• C) Requires a live connection to the source
system.
• D) Data size is unlimited.
• Data must be refreshed periodically.
• In which scenario would you recommend using
Dual storage mode?
• A) When all data can fit into Power BI's in-memory
engine.
• B) When you need real-time access to a large
dataset.
• C) When some data is static and other data is
dynamic.
• D) When you want to avoid using DAX calculations.
• When some data is static and other data is
dynamic.
• What is the primary advantage of using
DirectQuery mode over Import mode in Power
BI?
• A) Faster query performance for small datasets.
• B) Real-time access to data in the source
system.
• C) Support for all DAX functions.
• D) No need for data refresh schedules.
• Real-time access to data in the source system
• What is the primary advantage of using Import
mode in Power BI?
• A) Real-time data access.
• B) Support for large datasets without size limits.
• C) Fast query performance for in-memory data.
• D) No need for data refresh schedules.
• .
• Fast query performance for in-memory data
• Import mode supports all Power BI features,
including calculated columns and measures.
• A) True
• B) False
• Answer: A) True.
• Which of the following is a limitation of
DirectQuery mode?
• A) Data must fit within Power BI's storage limits.
• B) Limited support for complex transformations
and DAX functions.
• C) Data is stored in-memory for faster processing.
• D) No need for a live connection to the source
system.
• B) Limited support for complex
transformations and DAX functions.
• Which of the following is true about Dual
storage mode?
• A) All tables must use the same storage mode.
• B) It combines Import and DirectQuery modes.
• C) It does not support real-time data access.
• D) It is only available for cloud-based data
sources.
• B) It combines Import and DirectQuery modes.
• Dual storage mode allows you to balance
performance and real-time data needs.
• A) True
• B) False
• A) True.
• Import mode requires a live connection to the
source system.
• A) True
• B) False
• B) False.
• Import mode supports all DAX functions and
complex transformations.
• A) True
• B) False
• A) True.
• DirectQuery mode is ideal for small datasets
that fit into memory.
• A) True
• B) False
• B) False.
• DirectQuery mode allows real-time access to
data in the source system.
• A) True
• B) False
• A) True.
• Dual storage mode is only available for on-
premises data sources.
• A) True
• B) False
• B) False
• Dual storage mode allows you to combine
Import and DirectQuery modes in a single
dataset.
• A) True
• B) False
• A) True.
• You are working with a dataset that includes
sales data from the past five years and real-
time inventory data. Which storage mode
would you recommend?
• A) Import mode.
• B) DirectQuery mode.
• C) Dual storage mode.
• D) Live connection mode.
• C) Dual storage mode.
• Your dataset is too large to fit into Power BI's memory, but
you need to perform complex transformations. What
should you do?
• A) Use Import mode and reduce the dataset size.
• B) Use DirectQuery mode and perform transformations in
the source system.
• C) Use Dual storage mode and import only the necessary
tables.
• D) Use Live connection mode.
• B) Use DirectQuery mode and perform
transformations in the source system.
• Question: In __________ mode, data is
loaded into Power BI's in-memory engine for
faster processing.
• Answer: Import.
• Question: __________ mode allows you to
query data directly from the source system
without storing it in Power BI.
• Answer: DirectQuery.
• Question: __________ storage mode
combines Import and DirectQuery modes to
balance performance and real-time data
needs.
• Answer: Dual.
• A retail company has a large dataset of
historical sales data and real-time inventory
data. They want to create a Power BI report
that includes both datasets. Which storage
mode would you recommend, and why?
• Answer: Dual storage mode. Historical sales
data can be imported for fast performance,
while real-time inventory data can use
DirectQuery to ensure up-to-date information.
• A company has a Microsoft SQL Server database in
Azure. The database is very large and is updated
frequently throughout the day. You need to create
a Power BI report that always shows the most up-
to-date data. Which data connectivity mode should
you use?
• A. Import
B. DirectQuery
C. Dual
D. Live Connection
• DirectQuery
• You are building a Power BI report that combines data
from several sources, including a large SQL Server
database and a few Excel files. You need to minimize
the Power BI file size and ensure that the data is as
current as possible. Which storage mode is MOST
suitable?
• A. Import mode for all data sources.
B. DirectQuery mode for all data sources.
C. Import mode for the Excel files and DirectQuery
mode for the SQL Server database.
D. Dual mode for all data sources.
• Import mode for the Excel files and
DirectQuery mode for the SQL Server
database.
• You have a Power BI model that uses
DirectQuery to connect to a data warehouse.
Users are complaining that the report
performance is slow, especially when they drill
down into the data. You want to improve the
performance without changing the underlying
data warehouse. What should you do?
• Create aggregation tables.
• You are designing a Power BI solution for a large retail company.
They have a massive sales transaction table in their data
warehouse. They want users to be able to see near real-time
sales data, but also want to perform complex historical analysis.
You need to recommend a storage mode that balances
performance and data freshness. Which approach is best?
• A. Use Import mode for the entire sales transaction table.
B. Use DirectQuery mode for the entire sales transaction table.
C. Use Dual storage mode with aggregation tables for recent
sales data and DirectQuery for detailed historical data.
D. Use Live Connection to the data warehouse.
• Use Dual storage mode with aggregation
tables for recent sales data and DirectQuery
for detailed historical data.
• What are the limitations of using DirectQuery
mode in Power BI? (Select all that apply.)
• A. Limited DAX functionality.
B. Data needs to be imported to Power BI
Desktop.
C. Slower performance compared to Import
mode.
D. Cannot connect to all data sources.
E. Increased Power BI file size.
• A, C, D
• When should you choose Import mode over
DirectQuery mode in Power BI?
• A. When the data source is very large.
B. When near real-time data is required.
C. When the data needs to be transformed
using Power Query.
D. When the data source is not supported by
DirectQuery.
• When the data source is not supported by
DirectQuery.
• What is the primary benefit of using Dual storage
mode in Power BI?
• A. It allows you to connect to multiple data
sources simultaneously.
B. It automatically optimizes the performance of
your Power BI reports.
C. It combines the advantages of both Import and
DirectQuery modes.
D. It eliminates the need for data transformation in
Power Query.
• It combines the advantages of both Import
and DirectQuery modes.
• Question 1:
• You have a Power BI report that connects to a large Azure
Synapse Analytics data warehouse. The data warehouse
contains several fact tables with billions of rows. You need to
design a solution that allows users to quickly analyze the
data and drill down into details. The data warehouse is
updated daily. What storage mode should you recommend
for the Power BI report?
• A. Import mode
B. DirectQuery mode
C. Dual mode with aggregation tables
D. Live Connection to Analysis Services
• C. Dual mode with aggregation tables
• A Power BI report needs to display the current
inventory levels from a SQL Server database. The
inventory levels change constantly throughout the
day. Which refresh strategy is most appropriate?
• A. Scheduled refresh in Import mode every 4 hours.
B. Scheduled refresh in Import mode every 15
minutes.
C. DirectQuery mode with no scheduled refresh.
D. Import mode with a manual refresh triggered by
an event.
• C. DirectQuery mode with no scheduled
refresh.
• You are building a Power BI report that visualizes data from a
CSV file and a Microsoft Dataverse environment. The CSV file is
small and doesn't change frequently. The Dataverse
environment contains a large amount of data that is updated
daily. What storage mode strategy would be MOST efficient?
• A. Import the CSV file and use DirectQuery for the Dataverse
environment.
B. DirectQuery for both the CSV file and the Dataverse
environment.
C. Import both the CSV file and the Dataverse environment.
D. Dual mode for both the CSV file and the Dataverse
environment.
• Import the CSV file and use DirectQuery for
the Dataverse environment.
• Which of the following is an advantage of
using DirectQuery over Import mode in Power
BI?
• A. Faster report performance.
B. Full support for all DAX functions.
C. Ability to connect to a wider range of data
sources.
D. Always displays the most current data.
• D. Always displays the most current data.
• You have a Power BI model that uses DirectQuery to a SQL
Server database. You notice that the performance of the
report is slow, especially when users are filtering the data.
What can you do to improve the performance of the report
without changing the storage mode? (Select two.)
• A. Optimize the queries in the SQL Server database.
B. Create calculated columns in the Power BI model.
C. Use the Performance Analyzer in Power BI Desktop to
identify slow queries.
D. Increase the refresh frequency of the data in the SQL Server
database.
E. Reduce the number of visuals on each report page.
• A, C.
• A Power BI report connects to a large on-premises Oracle
database using DirectQuery. The report is used by executives to
monitor key performance indicators (KPIs). Users complain that
the report takes too long to load, especially during peak business
hours. You need to improve the report's performance without
making changes to the Oracle database. What is the MOST
appropriate solution?
• A. Switch to Import mode and schedule a daily refresh.
B. Implement aggregation tables in the Power BI model using Dual
storage mode.
C. Increase the number of CPU cores on the Power BI Report
Server.
D. Move the Oracle database to Azure.
• Implement aggregation tables in the Power BI
model using Dual storage mode.
• Your company has a very large dataset in
Azure SQL Database that is updated every
hour. You need to create a Power BI report
that shows the most up-to-date data. Which
storage mode should you use?
• A. Import
B. DirectQuery
C. Dual
D. Live Connection to Azure Analysis Services
• DirectQuery
• You are building a Power BI report that connects to a
SQL Server database. The database contains 10 years of
historical sales data. Users need to be able to analyze
the data at different levels of granularity (year, quarter,
month, day). The data is rarely updated. Which storage
mode would provide the best performance for the
users?
• A. Import
B. DirectQuery
C. Dual
D. Live Connection
• Import
• You are developing a Power BI report that connects to a large
Azure Synapse Analytics data warehouse. You need to balance the
need for near real-time data with the need for fast query
performance. You decide to use Dual storage mode. What is the
primary benefit of using Dual storage mode in this scenario?
• A. It allows you to import all of the data into Power BI for faster
query performance.
B. It allows you to query the data warehouse directly for the most
up-to-date data.
C. It allows you to use Import mode for some tables and
DirectQuery for other tables.
D. It allows you to use Import mode for aggregated data and
DirectQuery for detailed data.
• It allows you to use Import mode for
aggregated data and DirectQuery for detailed
data.
• Which of the following is a limitation of using
DirectQuery mode in Power BI?
• A. You cannot use calculated columns.
B. You cannot use the Power Query Editor.
C. The report performance may be slower
than Import mode.
D. You cannot connect to Excel files.
• The report performance may be slower than
Import mode.
• You have a Power BI report that uses DirectQuery to
connect to a SQL Server database. The report is
performing slowly. What is one way to improve the
performance of the report without changing the storage
mode?
• A. Schedule a refresh of the dataset every hour.
B. Create indexes on the tables in the SQL Server
database.
C. Reduce the number of visuals in the report.
D. Increase the amount of memory on the Power BI
Desktop.
• Create indexes on the tables in the SQL Server
database.
• You are designing a Power BI solution for a retail
company. The company has a large sales database that
is updated daily. The users need to analyze the sales
data by region, product, and time period. They also
need to be able to drill down to the individual
transaction level. Which storage mode would be the
most appropriate?
• A. Import
B. DirectQuery
C. Dual with aggregation tables
D. Live Connection
• Dual with aggregation tables
• What is one of the key benefits of using
DirectQuery mode in Power BI?
• A. Faster report performance compared to Import
mode
B. Ability to connect to a wider range of data
sources compared to Import mode
C. Always displays the most current data from the
data source
D. Allows for more complex data transformations
than Import mode
• Always displays the most current data from
the data source
• ou are building a Power BI report that combines
data from a SQL Server database and an Excel file.
The SQL Server database contains a large amount of
data that is updated daily, while the Excel file is
small and rarely changes. Which storage mode
should you use for each data source?
• A. Import for both SQL Server and Excel
B. DirectQuery for both SQL Server and Excel
C. Import for Excel and DirectQuery for SQL Server
D. DirectQuery for Excel and Import for SQL Server
• Import for Excel and DirectQuery for SQL
Server
• A Power BI report needs to visualize data from a
small CSV file and a large, frequently updated
data warehouse. What storage mode strategy is
MOST efficient?
• A. Import for both CSV and data warehouse.
B. DirectQuery for both CSV and data warehouse.
C. Import for CSV, DirectQuery for data
warehouse.
D. Dual for both CSV and data warehouse.
• Import for CSV, DirectQuery for data
warehouse.
• What is a disadvantage of using DirectQuery in
Power BI?
• A. Data must be imported.
B. Limited data sources.
C. Slower performance.
D. Cannot use DAX.
• .
• Slower performance.
• You are designing a Power BI report that
needs to display real-time stock prices from a
financial database. The data in the database
changes every minute. Which data
connectivity mode should you use?
• A. Import
B. DirectQuery
C. Dual
D. Live Connection
• DirectQuery