DirectQuery

Lesson in the Power BI Roadmap · Stage 3: Connection Modes

Last updated 14 September 2026

What is DirectQuery?

DirectQuery is a connection mode where Power BI sends queries directly to the source database each time a report visual is viewed or filtered, rather than storing a copy of the data. This keeps the report always in sync with the source but depends on the source database's performance to respond quickly. It is often used for very large datasets that are impractical to import in full.

Study this in the interactive course See the whole Power BI roadmap

Free resources to learn DirectQuery

Official docsUse DirectQuery in Power BI Desktop
Official docsDirectQuery in Power BI
VideoES Skip navigation Search Create Avatar image Power BI Direct Query (Explained Visually)

DirectQuery: common questions

Can I learn DirectQuery in Hindi?

This lesson is written in English. Once you sign in, open it in the interactive course and ask the AI tutor to explain DirectQuery in Hindi or Hinglish. The tutor answers from this lesson’s own text, so it stays on the syllabus, and it runs on your own Google, OpenAI or Anthropic key.

Is this DirectQuery tutorial for beginners?

It is lesson 15 of 131 in the free Power BI roadmap, in stage 3, Connection Modes. If you are new to Power BI, start from stage 1 and come back here in order; if you already know the earlier stages, this lesson stands on its own.