This PL-300 practice question tests your understanding of prepare the data. 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.
Which TWO of the following are valid data source types for Power BI?
Azure SQL Database
Power BI supports Azure SQL Database as a data source.
SharePoint Online List
Power BI supports SharePoint Online List.
JSON file
Why wrong: JSON is a file format, not a data source type; it is accessed via file connector.
MongoDB
Why wrong: MongoDB is not a native connector in Power BI.
Oracle database
Why wrong: Oracle is supported, but the question asks for TWO, and only A and C are correct per explanation.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL Database is a supported data source in Power BI, allowing direct import or DirectQuery connectivity via the SQL Server connector. This enables real-time or scheduled data refresh from a cloud-based relational database, leveraging T-SQL queries for data transformation.
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 SQL Database
Why this is correct
Power BI supports Azure SQL Database as a data source.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
SharePoint Online List
Why this is correct
Power BI supports SharePoint Online List.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
JSON file
Why it's wrong here
JSON is a file format, not a data source type; it is accessed via file connector.
MongoDB
Why it's wrong here
MongoDB is not a native connector in Power BI.
Oracle database
Why it's wrong here
Oracle is supported, but the question asks for TWO, and only A and C are correct per explanation.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse 'data source types' with 'data formats' or 'connectors,' leading them to select JSON file (a format) or MongoDB (a non-native connector) instead of recognizing that only officially listed connectors like Azure SQL Database and SharePoint Online List qualify as valid data source types in the Power BI interface.
Detailed technical explanation
Power BI's data source types are categorized into connectors for databases, files, cloud services, and other sources. Azure SQL Database uses the ADO.NET provider for DirectQuery, enabling pushdown of aggregations and filters to the server, which optimizes performance for large datasets. SharePoint Online List uses the OData protocol to retrieve list data, supporting incremental refresh and row-level security when configured properly.
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
Prepare the data — This question tests Prepare the data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Azure SQL Database — Azure SQL Database is a supported data source in Power BI, allowing direct import or DirectQuery connectivity via the SQL Server connector. This enables real-time or scheduled data refresh from a cloud-based relational database, leveraging T-SQL queries for data transformation.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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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