Quick Answer
The answer is Power BI, as it is the only tool in the Microsoft ecosystem designed to combine multiple data sources in a Power BI report while supporting scheduled daily refreshes. Power BI can natively connect to both Azure SQL Database and Azure Cosmos DB through built-in connectors, allowing a data analyst to merge structured transactional data from SQL with semi-structured or NoSQL data from Cosmos DB into a single interactive dashboard. On the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam, this question tests your understanding of Power BI’s role as the primary analytics and reporting service, distinguishing it from tools like Azure Synapse Analytics or Azure Data Factory, which focus on data integration or warehousing rather than interactive visualization. A common trap is confusing Power BI with Azure Analysis Services, but remember: Power BI handles the direct connection and refresh scheduling, while Analysis Services is for semantic modeling. Memory tip: “Power BI powers the report—SQL and Cosmos are just sources to import.”
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe an analytics workload on azure. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A data analyst needs to create an interactive report that combines sales data from Azure SQL Database and Azure Cosmos DB. The report must refresh daily. Which tool should they use?
Azure Data Factory
Why wrong: Data Factory is for data movement, not reporting.
Azure Synapse Studio
Why wrong: Synapse Studio is for managing data warehouses, not interactive reporting.
Azure Analysis Services
Why wrong: Analysis Services can serve as a semantic layer but is not the direct reporting tool; Power BI is simpler.
Power BI
Power BI can connect to multiple sources and create interactive dashboards with scheduled refresh.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Power BI
Power BI is the correct tool because it is designed for creating interactive reports and dashboards, and it can directly connect to both Azure SQL Database and Azure Cosmos DB as data sources. Its scheduled refresh capability allows the report to refresh daily without manual intervention, meeting the requirement for an interactive, combined report.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Azure Data Factory
Why it's wrong here
Data Factory is for data movement, not reporting.
Azure Synapse Studio
Why it's wrong here
Synapse Studio is for managing data warehouses, not interactive reporting.
Azure Analysis Services
Why it's wrong here
Analysis Services can serve as a semantic layer but is not the direct reporting tool; Power BI is simpler.
Power BI
Why this is correct
Power BI can connect to multiple sources and create interactive dashboards with scheduled refresh.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse data integration tools (like Azure Data Factory) or data modeling services (like Azure Analysis Services) with the actual reporting and visualization tool, which is Power BI, the only option that directly creates interactive reports with scheduled refresh.
Detailed technical explanation
Power BI uses DirectQuery or Import mode to connect to Azure SQL Database and Azure Cosmos DB; for daily refresh, Import mode is typically used, which copies data into the Power BI dataset and supports scheduled refresh via the on-premises data gateway (if needed) or cloud connections. Power BI's composite models allow combining data from multiple sources like SQL and Cosmos DB into a single report, leveraging relationships and DAX calculations for interactivity.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
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FAQ
Describe an analytics workload on Azure — This question tests Describe an analytics workload on Azure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Power BI — Power BI is the correct tool because it is designed for creating interactive reports and dashboards, and it can directly connect to both Azure SQL Database and Azure Cosmos DB as data sources. Its scheduled refresh capability allows the report to refresh daily without manual intervention, meeting the requirement for an interactive, combined report.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A data analyst needs to create a report in Power BI that combines sales data from Azure SQL Database and inventory data from Azure Cosmos DB. The report should refresh daily. Which Power BI feature should be used to combine these data sources?
easyWhy D: Power Query allows connecting to multiple data sources and combining them through queries and merges. Option A is wrong because Quick Measures are for creating calculations within a single table. Option B is wrong because Power BI Desktop is the tool, not a feature for combining sources. Option D is wrong because DAX is a formula language for creating calculations, not for data ingestion.
Variation 2. A data analyst needs to create a Power BI report that combines sales data from Azure SQL Database and marketing data from a CSV file stored in Azure Blob Storage. The report should refresh automatically. What is the recommended approach?
mediumWhy A: Using Power Query in Power BI Desktop to combine both sources and then publishing to the Power BI service with scheduled refresh is the standard approach. Option A (Azure Data Factory) is overkill for this simple combination. Option B (DirectQuery) cannot combine a CSV file easily. Option D (Excel) is not recommended for automation.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This DP-900 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DP-900 exam.
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