Skip to content
datastudyguides

PL-300 · 1.1.3 · Prepare the data

Choose a storage mode

Choose between DirectLake, DirectQuery, and Import

Choose Import for speed, for source freshness, and for data.

Where does the data live?

Comparison of Import, DirectQuery, and Direct Lake. Import caches data in memory and refreshes on schedule, DirectQuery reads the source at query time, and Direct Lake reads OneLake Delta tables with near real time freshness and Import-like performance.

determines where table data is read from when a report runs. Import keeps a cached copy, sends queries to the source, and reads Fabric data from .

Choose by constraint

Mode Reads from Strongest reason to choose it
Import In-memory cached model Fast interactive analysis
Source at query time Data must stay at the source or stay very current
Delta data Fabric data with Direct Lake architecture

Do not choose by freshness alone. Source location and model architecture also matter.

Exam clue: start with Import unless freshness, source location, or architecture requires another mode.

Key points

  • Import: cached snapshot, fastest interactive queries
  • : queries the source at report time
  • : reads data directly
  • Default choice: Import unless requirements force otherwise

Click an underlined term for a one-line explanation, or see them all in the glossary .

Exam trap

is not . It reads data instead of sending report queries to an external source.

Sources · 2 Microsoft Learn pages Show ▾

Checked on October 4, 2026. Report a problem

Go deeper on Microsoft Learn

Checked against Microsoft Learn on October 4, 2026. Report a problem with this card

How well do you know this?