Data storage in Power BI

Question

Where is the data stored in Power BI

Sophia Carter · Answer

In Power BI, there are several options for storing data depending on the type of data source you are connecting to. Here are some common scenarios: 1. Power BI Desktop: When you connect to and import data in Power BI Desktop, the data is stored within the .pbix file itself. This means that the data is stored locally on your computer within the Power BI file. 2. DirectQuery: If you use DirectQuery mode, Power BI queries the data source each time a visual is rendered. In this case, the data is not stored within Power BI; it remains in the original data source (e.g., SQL Server, Azure Analysis Services, etc.), and Power BI fetches and displays it in real-time. 3. Import mode: When you choose to import data into Power BI, the data is loaded into Power BI’s internal tabular data model known as Vertipaq. This in-memory storage solution enables fast querying and analysis of data without the need to access the original data source continuously. 4. Live Connection: With a Live Connection, Power BI connects directly to the data source (e.g., SQL Server, Analysis Services) without importing the data. In this scenario, the data stays in the original source, and Power BI pulls it in real-time for visualizations. 5. Power BI Service: When you publish your Power BI report to the Power BI service (cloud), the data can be stored in the Power BI service itself (for datasets uploaded directly to the service) or connected to on-premises data sources using a gateway for live connections. So, where the data is stored in Power BI largely depends on how you choose to connect to and manage your data. Whether it's within the Power BI file itself, in an in-memory tabular model, in the original data source, or in the Power BI cloud service, Power BI offers flexibility in handling data storage based on your specific requirements.

Data storage in Power BI

Where is the data stored in Power BI

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