PL-900 Demonstrate the capabilities of Power Apps Practice Question
Which TWO of the following data sources can be used directly in a canvas app without using a gateway? (Choose TWO.)
⚠ Common exam trap
PL-900 often tests the cloud-versus-on-premises distinction by listing familiar data sources (SQL, Oracle, SAP) that sound modern but are on-prem, tricking candidates who assume any database connector works without a gateway.
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
✓
Dataverse
Option D, Dataverse, is correct because it is a cloud-hosted Microsoft Power Platform service that canvas apps connect to natively through the built-in Dataverse connector, so no on-premises data gateway is required. Option E, SharePoint Online, is correct because it is a Microsoft 365 cloud service accessed directly via the standard SharePoint connector in Power Apps, again without any gateway. Options A (on-premises SQL Server), B (on-premises Oracle Database), and C (on-premises SAP HANA) are all on-premises systems, so reaching them from a canvas app requires installing and configuring an on-premises data gateway to bridge the cloud service to the local network.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
On-premises SQL Server
Why it's wrong here
On-premises SQL Server requires a data gateway because it sits outside Microsoft's cloud network, and canvas apps cannot reach it directly. It is tempting because SQL Server is a first-class Power Apps connector, and it would be correct for cloud-hosted Azure SQL Database, which needs no gateway.
- ✗
On-premises Oracle Database
Why it's wrong here
On-premises Oracle requires a data gateway.
- ✗
On-premises SAP HANA
Why it's wrong here
On-premises SAP HANA requires a data gateway.
- ✓
Dataverse
Why this is correct
Dataverse connects natively through the built-in connector, so canvas apps query tables directly without an on-premises data gateway. The gateway requirement applies only to sources behind a network boundary, which Dataverse is not, satisfying the stem's "without using a gateway" constraint.
- ✓
SharePoint Online
Why this is correct
SharePoint Online is a cloud service, so Power Apps connects to it directly through the built-in SharePoint connector, with no on-premises data gateway required. This satisfies the stem's constraint of gateway-free access, unlike on-premises sources such as SQL Server or file shares, which need a gateway to bridge them.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on PL-900
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 data sources can be used directly in a canvas app without a gateway? (Choose two.)
easy- A.SQL Server on-premises
- B.Oracle database on-premises
- ✓ C.Microsoft Dataverse
- ✓ D.SharePoint
- E.SAP on-premises
Why C: Option C, Microsoft Dataverse, is correct because it is a cloud-hosted service that canvas apps connect to natively through the built-in Dataverse connector, so no on-premises data gateway is required. Option D, SharePoint, is correct because SharePoint Online is a cloud service and canvas apps use the standard SharePoint connector to read and write lists and libraries directly without a gateway. Options A (SQL Server on-premises) and B (Oracle database on-premises) are not correct because on-premises databases are only reachable from Power Platform via the on-premises data gateway. Option E (SAP on-premises) is also not correct because on-premises SAP systems require the on-premises data gateway (or an equivalent secure bridge) to be accessed from a canvas app.
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
This PL-900 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-900 exam.