Which Data Sources Support DirectQuery in Power BI?
Which TWO of the following are valid data source types in Power BI that support DirectQuery? (Select TWO.)
Quick Answer
Snowflake and Azure Synapse Analytics are the two answers here because the question is really asking which sources Power BI can query live rather than only import. Snowflake supports DirectQuery specifically because it exposes a SQL-based interface that Power BI's native connector can send queries to directly, without first pulling all the data into Power BI's in-memory model; this lets a report run against Snowflake's live data instead of a static import, even for very large datasets. Azure Synapse Analytics is confirmed as a DirectQuery-capable source for the same underlying reason: it too is a source Power BI can connect to and query on demand rather than needing a full import first. What both share, and what actually determines DirectQuery eligibility in general, is the ability to receive and execute queries live as a user interacts with a report, not simply being a modern or cloud-hosted platform. Sources that only support bulk extraction or lack a genuine SQL query interface aren't viable DirectQuery candidates even if they're otherwise well suited to being imported into a model. When you're deciding whether a data source could support DirectQuery, the test to apply is whether it can be queried directly and repeatedly in real time as report filters change, rather than whether it's simply a well-known or enterprise-grade platform.
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse file-based or list-based data sources (like Excel, JSON, or SharePoint) as being DirectQuery-capable because they can be connected to Power BI, but DirectQuery is strictly limited to relational databases and data warehouses that support live query execution.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Snowflake
Snowflake is a cloud-based data warehouse that supports DirectQuery in Power BI, allowing queries to be sent directly to Snowflake without importing data into Power BI's in-memory engine. This is possible because Snowflake provides a SQL-based interface that Power BI can connect to via its native connector, enabling real-time querying of large datasets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Snowflake
Why this is correct
Snowflake supports DirectQuery.
- ✗
Excel workbook
Why it's wrong here
Excel only supports Import mode.
- ✓
Azure Synapse Analytics
Why this is correct
Azure Synapse Analytics supports DirectQuery.
- ✗
SharePoint Online List
Why it's wrong here
SharePoint Online List only supports Import mode.
- ✗
JSON file
Why it's wrong here
JSON files only support Import mode.
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Variation 1. Which TWO data sources can be used with DirectQuery mode in Power BI? (Choose two.)
easy- A.Excel workbook
- ✓ B.SQL Server
- ✓ C.Azure SQL Database
- D.CSV file
- E.SharePoint list
Why B: SQL Server is correct because it is a relational database that supports DirectQuery mode in Power BI, allowing queries to be sent directly to the source without importing data. This enables real-time access to large datasets while leveraging SQL Server's query processing capabilities.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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