Microsoft Certified: Fabric Analytics Engineer AssociateImplement and manage semantic models (30-35%)Easy
A data analyst is developing a new semantic model in Microsoft Fabric. The model needs to incorporate data from both an Azure SQL Database and a Data Lakehouse. The analyst wants to ensure that the data refresh operations are efficient and that the model can handle incremental updates for a large fact table. Which data storage mode should be primarily used for the fact table in this scenario?
- ADual mode
- BLive Connection mode
- CImport mode
- DDirectQuery mode
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Import mode
Import mode caches data within the semantic model, offering the fastest performance for queries and supporting advanced features like incremental refresh, which is crucial for large fact tables and efficient updates.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Dual mode combines Import and DirectQuery but is typically used for dimension tables to optimize performance, not primarily for large fact tables requiring incremental refresh.
- B. Live Connection mode is used for connecting to already-published semantic models and does not involve data storage mode selection for the underlying tables.
- D. DirectQuery mode executes queries directly against the source, leading to slower performance and not natively supporting incremental refresh in the semantic model.
Import Mode
A data storage mode in Power BI/Fabric where data is loaded and cached directly into the semantic model, providing high performance and supporting advanced features.
- Data is cached in memory.
- Offers fastest query performance.
- Supports full Power BI/Fabric capabilities, including incremental refresh.
Memory trick: Import is in, Direct is out, Dual is both, Live is linked.