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Power BI – Import SQL Data

import mode power-Bi

In this blog you will understand about Import Mode in Power BI Desktop & how we can Get SQL data into Power BI Desktop.

Mainly, Power BI Desktop support two types of data source connection mode like Import & Direct Query mode. Here we will talk about Import mode.

In import mode Power BI Desktop store the data inside Power BI Cache. If your data size is less then 1 GB or data not continually changing then you can use Import mode.

Import mode is very fast compare to Direct Query mode because all data comes from Power Bi Desktop Cache, so you can use this mode to develop & testing purpose.



But later on you have to change your data source mode as a Direct Query for production, it will be depends on your organization you want to change this or not.

When you choose import mode, in that case Power BI fetch the data from given source and load into Power BI Cache, this is one time activity. Later on you can Schedule or refresh to get latest Data.

Let’s get started-

Follow these steps in order to get data from SQL server to Power BI Desktop using import mode-

Step-1: Go to Home tab > click on Get Data & Select SQL Server.

Get Data from SQL in Power BI

Get Data from SQL in Power BI

Step-2: After that one Pop Up screen appears, write SQL server & Database name. By default Data Connectivity mode is Import.

Import Mode in Power Bi

Import Mode in Power Bi




Step-3: Expand the Advance Option and write SQL query to fetch data for Load and click on Ok button.

Import Mode in Power Bi

Import Mode in Power Bi

Step-4: After that it will show you preview of data then click on Load button.

Import Mode in Power Bi - Load Data



Step-5: Rename the dataset, just right click on data set and rename it.

Power BI converts your Table as a Dataset and columns as a Fields. Power BI is very smart, it assign Datatypes of your fields automatically as per your data behavior. 

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