Deliver real-time data from an import model

Have you wondered how you can deliver real-time data from an import model in power BI?

This is possible when you are on a Power BI premium capacity.

How to do this:

1. Publish your dataset to Power BI service (designated premium workspace)

2. Set up an import table with incremental refresh.

3. Enable the Get the latest data in real-time with DirectQuery option.

As illustrated on the image below:

Source : Microsoft.com

By enabling option (3), import table becomes a hybrid table with two partitions namely:

• Import partition to store older data.

• A single DirectQuery partition for current data.

Hence when Power BI queries a hybrid tay uses the cache for older data, and passes through data source to retrieve current data.

Limitation

- This is only available with a Premium license.