The answer is that you must configure row-level security in the Azure SQL Database itself when using DirectQuery with SSO. This is because single sign-on passes the user’s actual identity directly to the data source, which means Power BI’s RLS roles are effectively bypassed—the database receives the query under the user’s credentials and returns all rows unless the database itself enforces filtering via security predicates or views using functions like USER_NAME() or SUSER_SNAME(). On the PL-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how SSO changes the security boundary: many candidates assume Power BI RLS always works with DirectQuery, but SSO shifts enforcement to the source. A common trap is forgetting that SSO hands off authentication, so Power BI cannot apply its own role filters after the fact. Memory tip: “SSO sends the user, so the source must screen the rows.”
PL-300 Manage and secure Power BI Practice Question
This PL-300 practice question tests your understanding of manage and secure power bi. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
You are the Power BI administrator for Contoso Ltd. The company has a Premium capacity workspace named 'Sales Analytics' that contains a dataset named 'SalesData' and several reports. The dataset uses DirectQuery to an Azure SQL Database. Row-level security (RLS) is configured in Power BI Desktop with roles: 'SalesManager' (filters to SalesManager rows), 'SalesRep' (filters to SalesRep rows). After publishing, you assign users to the roles in the Power BI service. However, when a user assigned to the 'SalesRep' role opens a report, they see all data instead of only their own rows. You have verified that the RLS role definition is correct and that the user is the only member of the 'SalesRep' role. The user has no other workspace permissions. The dataset is set to use single sign-on (SSO) for the DirectQuery connection. What is the most likely cause of the issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Configure RLS in the Azure SQL Database itself using security predicates or views that filter based on the user's identity (e.g., USER_NAME() or SUSER_SNAME()).
With SSO, the source must enforce RLS; Power BI RLS is ignored.
B
Add the user to multiple RLS roles to ensure the filters are applied.
Why wrong: Adding to multiple roles would combine filters, but the issue is SSO.
C
Change the dataset storage mode from DirectQuery to Import.
Why wrong: Import mode would use Power BI RLS, but it may not be feasible due to data size or real-time requirements.
D
Remove the user from the 'SalesRep' role and add them as a Viewer on the workspace to force RLS.
Why wrong: Workspace Viewer role does not bypass RLS, but the issue is due to SSO.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure RLS in the Azure SQL Database itself using security predicates or views that filter based on the user's identity (e.g., USER_NAME() or SUSER_SNAME()).
Option A is correct because when using DirectQuery with SSO, the user's identity is passed to the data source. If the Azure SQL Database does not enforce RLS (e.g., via security predicates or user mappings), all data is returned. Power BI RLS is bypassed in this scenario. Option B is wrong because the user is not a workspace member with edit permissions. Option C is wrong because the user is the only member. Option D is wrong because RLS in Power BI works with DirectQuery, but SSO changes the behavior.
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.
✓
Configure RLS in the Azure SQL Database itself using security predicates or views that filter based on the user's identity (e.g., USER_NAME() or SUSER_SNAME()).
Why this is correct
With SSO, the source must enforce RLS; Power BI RLS is ignored.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Add the user to multiple RLS roles to ensure the filters are applied.
Why it's wrong here
Adding to multiple roles would combine filters, but the issue is SSO.
✗
Change the dataset storage mode from DirectQuery to Import.
Why it's wrong here
Import mode would use Power BI RLS, but it may not be feasible due to data size or real-time requirements.
✗
Remove the user from the 'SalesRep' role and add them as a Viewer on the workspace to force RLS.
Why it's wrong here
Workspace Viewer role does not bypass RLS, but the issue is due to SSO.
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: Configure RLS in the Azure SQL Database itself using security predicates or views that filter based on the user's identity (e.g., USER_NAME() or SUSER_SNAME()). — Option A is correct because when using DirectQuery with SSO, the user's identity is passed to the data source. If the Azure SQL Database does not enforce RLS (e.g., via security predicates or user mappings), all data is returned. Power BI RLS is bypassed in this scenario. Option B is wrong because the user is not a workspace member with edit permissions. Option C is wrong because the user is the only member. Option D is wrong because RLS in Power BI works with DirectQuery, but SSO changes the behavior.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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