How to change the storage mode of a table in Power BI

 In Power BI, you can change the storage mode of a table by modifying the data connectivity settings in Power Query. Here's how you can do it:

1. 1) Open your Power BI desktop file that contains the dataset you want to modify.

2. 2) Go to the "Data" tab to access the data view where your dataset tables are listed.

3. 3) Right-click on the table for which you want to change the storage mode, and select "Transform Data." This will open the Power Query Editor.

4. 4) In the Power Query Editor, locate the table you want to modify in the query pane on the left-hand side.

5. 5) Click on the gear icon next to the table name to open the data source settings for that table.

6. 6) In the data source settings, you will see options for data connectivity mode. You can choose between "Import," "DirectQuery," or "Dual" mode.

   • i) Select "Import" if you want to import the data into the Power BI dataset.
   • ii) Select "DirectQuery" if you want Power BI to query the data source directly in real-time.
   • iii) Select "Dual" if you want to enable both import and DirectQuery modes for the table. Power BI will use import mode for some queries and DirectQuery mode for others, depending on optimization.

7. 7) Once you've selected the desired storage mode, click on "Close & Load" to apply the changes and load the modified table back into your Power BI dataset.

8. Save your Power BI file to retain the changes.

By following these steps, you can change the storage mode of a table in Power BI to import, DirectQuery, or Dual mode, depending on your requirements for data management and performance. Keep in mind that changing the storage mode may impact report performance and data freshness, so it's essential to consider the implications before making the change.