Data source settings
1. Data source settings
Hello again, and I hope you are enjoying the course so far. For this chapter, we will look at some additional features of Power BI that you can utilize when connecting to data sources.2. Parameters
First up - parameters. Parameters can be a very useful tool in Power BI, even for data connections. In general, parameters give you an easy way to store and manage values that can be re-used. They give the users the ability to create more dynamic report environments, where queries and settings can be changed through the altering of one or more parameters. Some more common uses of parameters in Power BI are for creating dynamic filtering settings, using them for changeable inputs in custom functions, and inserting them into the data source connection process. Parameters, also referred to as Query Parameters can be created and managed within the Power Query Editor.3. Parameters
When creating parameters, you are able to set specific properties such as the name, the values, and the type of parameter, such as a list or a text value. In relation to data connections, we are able to use parameters when importing data from our sources. They can be used to make the connection to servers and databases more dynamic. This is useful when data source settings are regularly changed. We don't have to create new connections every time, but just alter the parameters that have been created. Another important data connection feature that relies on parameters are incremental refreshes.4. Incremental refresh
Incremental refresh is a feature that allows the user to load changed or new data into their Power BI data model, without having to refresh the entire data connection every time. This is done by refreshing only parts of the data model created. This feature is useful when dealing with data sources that contain very large amounts of data and that update regularly, as well as for datasets with historical data. The advantages of incremental refreshes include lower refresh times as we are not bringing all the data from the data source to Power BI each time. As we are carrying out smaller refresh processes, less resource of the database is consumed resulting in quicker refreshes.5. Incremental refresh
Every time a new refresh is carried out, some of the data will be archived. Parts of the data that are more recent will be refreshed, while new data is also added since the last refresh date. There are some pre-requisites involved when using incremental refreshes. Firstly, parameters are required for the creation of the incremental refresh. This is because the process of connecting to data sources needs to be dynamically modified. Additionally, incremental refreshes are created in Power BI Desktop but are put into action in Power BI Service. This means we have to have either Pro or Premium access accounts, while also ensuring the necessary data gateways have been created to ensure our data connections are available within the cloud service.6. M Language
When working with data connections, one task you will come across regularly is fixing errors. M Language comes in handy for these types of tasks. M Language gives us the ability to view and amend details related to data connections. It is key to note that M Language is case-sensitive, which means we have to take care when writing or amending any code. It is a functional language, and therefore there is a large library of standard functions available to use.7. Row-level security
One type of security measure available in Power BI Desktop is row-level security. This allows us to restrict data access for specific users. This type of security setting can be implemented once you have imported your data into Power BI Desktop. This feature uses filters to restrict data access at the row level, and then the filters can be defined within specific user roles. You can define the roles and rules within Power BI Desktop, and when you publish reports to Power BI Service these security settings will take effect. You can find out more by taking the Intermediate DAX course, which has a whole chapter on this feature.8. Let's practice!
Having covered even more new topics, it is time for you to practice. Good luck!Create Your Free Account
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