Microsoft Power BI Power BI Data Connectivity and Data Sources 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the fundamental difference between Import mode and DirectQuery mode in Power BI?
- Import caches data in Power BI's in-memory engine; DirectQuery queries the source at render time (Correct answer)
- Import is for cloud sources only; DirectQuery is for on-premises sources only
- Import supports all DAX functions; DirectQuery supports none
- Import requires a gateway; DirectQuery never requires one
Correct answer: Import caches data in Power BI's in-memory engine; DirectQuery queries the source at render time
Import mode loads and compresses data into Power BI's in-memory VertiPaq engine, while DirectQuery forwards each visual's query to the source system in real time.
Question 2: Which Power BI feature allows a single dataset to include tables from both Import and DirectQuery storage modes?
- Composite Models (Correct answer)
- Hybrid Refresh
- Mixed Mode Datasets
- Dual Storage Blending
Correct answer: Composite Models
Composite Models enable a single Power BI dataset to combine tables using Import and DirectQuery storage modes, including connections to multiple data sources.
Question 3: In Power BI Composite Models, what does 'Dual' storage mode mean for a table?
- The table is mirrored in two separate databases
- The table behaves as Import or DirectQuery depending on which is more efficient for the query (Correct answer)
- The table is refreshed twice per scheduled refresh cycle
- The table has two independent primary keys
Correct answer: The table behaves as Import or DirectQuery depending on which is more efficient for the query
A table in Dual storage mode is cached locally like an Import table but can also be queried live like a DirectQuery table, allowing the engine to choose the most efficient path.
Question 4: Which built-in Power BI connector is specifically designed to connect to Salesforce CRM data?
- OData Feed connector
- Salesforce Objects connector (Correct answer)
- Generic REST API connector
- Web connector
Correct answer: Salesforce Objects connector
Power BI includes a native Salesforce Objects connector that authenticates directly with Salesforce and exposes its standard and custom objects as tables.
Question 5: What is the maximum dataset size supported in a Power BI Pro shared workspace?
- 1 GB (Correct answer)
- 10 GB
- 100 GB
- 400 GB
Correct answer: 1 GB
Power BI Pro workspaces cap individual dataset sizes at 1 GB, whereas Power BI Premium capacity supports up to 100 GB or more per dataset.
Question 6: Which gateway type is required to support scheduled refresh from an on-premises SQL Server in a shared Power BI Service workspace?
- Personal gateway
- VNet Data Gateway
- Standard (Enterprise) On-premises Data Gateway (Correct answer)
- No gateway is required
Correct answer: Standard (Enterprise) On-premises Data Gateway
The Standard (Enterprise) On-premises Data Gateway is required for shared workspaces to refresh on-premises SQL Server data; the Personal gateway cannot be shared across an organization.
Question 7: In Power BI Desktop, what happens when you click 'Transform Data' instead of 'Load' after selecting a data source?
- Data is loaded directly into the data model without any changes
- Power Query Editor opens so you can clean and shape the data before loading (Correct answer)
- The data is exported to a local CSV file
- Relationships between tables are automatically detected and created
Correct answer: Power Query Editor opens so you can clean and shape the data before loading
Clicking 'Transform Data' opens the Power Query Editor, which provides a full environment for filtering, cleaning, and reshaping data before it enters the Power BI data model.
Microsoft Power BI Power BI Data Connectivity and Data Sources 2
What is the fundamental difference between Import mode and DirectQuery mode in Power BI?