Import Mode Best Practices¶

Overview¶

• Prefer Import mode for performance unless data size/latency requires DirectQuery/Composite/Direct Lake
• Loads data into memory for optimal query performance
• Default and recommended storage mode for most scenarios

Model Format¶

• Small models: < 1 GB compressed, stored in Analysis Services
• Large models: Can exceed 10 GB, requires Premium capacity features

Advantages & Considerations¶

• Fastest query performance - all data cached in memory
• Full DAX capability - all functions and features available
• Excellent compression - VertiPaq engine reduces storage footprint
• Complex transformations - Power Query can perform any transformation
• Refresh schedule required - data becomes stale between refreshes
• Memory capacity limits - dataset size constrained by capacity
• Refresh duration - large datasets may take significant time
• Gateway required - for on-premises data sources