Quick Answer
The answer is Power BI Pro. This is the minimum license required for a dataset owner to configure a scheduled refresh against a cloud-based Azure SQL Database because scheduled refresh is a feature tied to shared capacity, which demands a Pro license; a Free license cannot schedule refreshes at all, while Premium capacities or Premium Per User are optional upgrades, not the baseline. On the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst PL-300 exam, this question tests your understanding of licensing boundaries—specifically that Pro unlocks scheduled refresh in shared capacity, whereas Premium only adds higher refresh limits or larger datasets. A common trap is assuming Premium is needed for any cloud source, but the key is that Azure SQL Database is a cloud-based source that works with Pro’s standard scheduled refresh. Memory tip: think “Pro for Refresh”—if you need to schedule, you need a Pro seat, not Premium.
This PL-300 practice question tests your understanding of deploy and maintain assets. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 need to ensure that a Power BI report uses the latest data from a cloud-based Azure SQL Database. The report is configured with scheduled refresh. What is the minimum required license for the dataset owner to configure a scheduled refresh?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Power BI Premium capacity
Why wrong: Capacity is not a license; users still need Pro.
Power BI Premium Per User
Why wrong: PPU is not minimum; Pro suffices.
Power BI Free
Why wrong: Free license cannot schedule refresh.
Power BI Pro
Pro license is required to schedule refresh in shared capacity.
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 Pro
Option D is correct because Power BI Pro is the minimum license required for a dataset owner to configure a scheduled refresh against a cloud-based Azure SQL Database. Scheduled refresh is a premium feature that is not available with a Power BI Free license, and while Power BI Premium capacity or Premium Per User can also support scheduled refresh, they are not the minimum requirement. The dataset owner must have a Pro license to schedule refreshes for datasets hosted in shared capacity.
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.
Power BI Premium capacity
Why it's wrong here
Capacity is not a license; users still need Pro.
Power BI Premium Per User
Why it's wrong here
PPU is not minimum; Pro suffices.
Power BI Free
Why it's wrong here
Free license cannot schedule refresh.
Power BI Pro
Why this is correct
Pro license is required to schedule refresh in shared capacity.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often assume that because Azure SQL Database is a cloud source, a Free license might suffice, but Power BI Free does not support any form of scheduled refresh, regardless of the data source being cloud or on-premises.
Detailed technical explanation
Scheduled refresh in Power BI relies on the on-premises data gateway (for on-premises sources) or direct cloud connectivity (for Azure SQL Database). The refresh process uses the Power BI service's refresh scheduler, which executes Transact-SQL queries against the Azure SQL Database. Under the hood, the dataset owner's Pro license enables the 'Schedule refresh' option in the dataset settings, and the refresh frequency can be set up to eight times per day in shared capacity. In a real-world scenario, if an organization uses shared capacity, each user who owns datasets requiring scheduled refresh must have a Pro license; otherwise, the refresh will fail with a licensing error.
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
Deploy and maintain assets — This question tests Deploy and maintain assets — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Power BI Pro — Option D is correct because Power BI Pro is the minimum license required for a dataset owner to configure a scheduled refresh against a cloud-based Azure SQL Database. Scheduled refresh is a premium feature that is not available with a Power BI Free license, and while Power BI Premium capacity or Premium Per User can also support scheduled refresh, they are not the minimum requirement. The dataset owner must have a Pro license to schedule refreshes for datasets hosted in shared capacity.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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