The answer is Row-Level Security (RLS) and Object-Level Security (OLS). RLS directly restricts access to specific rows of data by filtering table content based on the user’s identity, typically using DAX filter expressions. OLS, while primarily designed to hide entire tables or columns, indirectly restricts row access when applied to a table, as users cannot see any rows from a secured table. On the PL-300 exam, this question tests your understanding of Power BI’s native security features versus external database concepts; a common trap is confusing column-level security (a SQL Server feature, not native to Power BI) with OLS. Remember that RLS filters rows, OLS hides objects, and neither relies on bookmarks or dashboard permissions. A helpful memory tip: “RLS rows, OLS objects—both lock data, but only RLS filters by user.”
PL-300 Manage and secure Power BI Practice Question
This PL-300 practice question tests your understanding of manage and secure power bi. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which TWO Power BI components can be used to restrict access to specific rows of data for different users? (Select exactly two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Object-level security (OLS)
Options A and B are correct. Row-level security (RLS) is the primary method to filter data rows by user. Object-level security (OLS) can also restrict access to specific tables or columns, which indirectly restricts rows if applied to tables. Option C is wrong because column-level security is not a Power BI feature; it's a database concept. Option D is wrong because bookmark-based filtering is not a security feature. Option E is wrong because dashboard-level security controls access to the dashboard, not rows.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Column-level security (CLS)
Why it's wrong here
CLS is not a feature in Power BI; it's a SQL Server feature.
✗
Bookmark-based filtering
Why it's wrong here
Bookmarks are for UI, not security.
✓
Object-level security (OLS)
Why this is correct
OLS can restrict access to entire tables or columns, limiting row access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Row-level security (RLS)
Why this is correct
RLS filters data rows based on user roles.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Dashboard-level permissions
Why it's wrong here
Dashboard permissions control access to the dashboard, not data rows.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PL-300 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Manage and secure Power BI — This question tests Manage and secure Power BI — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Object-level security (OLS) — Options A and B are correct. Row-level security (RLS) is the primary method to filter data rows by user. Object-level security (OLS) can also restrict access to specific tables or columns, which indirectly restricts rows if applied to tables. Option C is wrong because column-level security is not a Power BI feature; it's a database concept. Option D is wrong because bookmark-based filtering is not a security feature. Option E is wrong because dashboard-level security controls access to the dashboard, not rows.
What should I do if I get this PL-300 question wrong?
Identify which PL-300 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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 →
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. Which TWO are valid methods to secure access to a Power BI dataset? (Select exactly two.)
easy
✓ A.Row-level security (RLS)
B.Column-level security (CLS)
✓ C.Object-level security (OLS)
D.App permissions
E.Data encryption at rest
Why A: Row-level security (RLS) and object-level security (OLS) are the two primary methods. Option A is correct, Option B is correct. Option C is wrong because column-level security is not a separate feature; it's OLS. Option D is wrong because app permissions control access to the app, not the dataset directly. Option E is wrong because data encryption is not a dataset-level access control.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
Question Discussion
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This PL-300 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 PL-300 exam.
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