--- sourceDocument: Australia API Reference sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/api-reference Release : - australia ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Australia API Reference ft:clusterId : - crapiref bundleId : - crapiref workflow : - Creator --- # Power BI Desktop data import mode and limits # Power BI Desktop data import mode and limits {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Australia Updated September 18, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of Power BI Desktop data import mode and limits The ServiceNow ODBC driver for Power BI Desktop supports only theimport mode, not DirectQuery. This distinction is crucial for ServiceNow customers to effectively plan data refresh schedules, manage dataset sizes, and handle large table filtering within Power BI reports. Show full answer Show less ## Connection Modes * **Import Mode:** Data queried from ServiceNow is copied into the Power BI Desktop file at the time of connection. Reports read from this local data copy, which remains static until manually refreshed or refreshed on a schedule. * **DirectQuery Mode (not supported by ServiceNow ODBC driver):** Data remains on the ServiceNow source system, with Power BI storing only metadata. Each report interaction fetches fresh data directly from ServiceNow without needing scheduled refreshes. Because only import mode is available, data freshness depends on refresh frequency, which is influenced by your Power BI license type. Scheduled refreshes require a Power BI Gateway when using the Power BI Service. ## Data Processing and Joins Joins created in Power BI's Model view are processed locally within Power BI, not on the ServiceNow instance. Only SQL-written joins are executed on the ServiceNow source, which is important for optimizing performance and resource usage. ## Dataset Size Limits Power BI Pro licenses limit published dataset sizes to 10 GB on the Power BI Service. Since import mode copies all data into the Power BI file, this limit applies to all reports using the ServiceNow ODBC connection. DirectQuery datasets are exempt from this, but this option is unavailable with the ServiceNow driver. Power BI compresses the local Power BI Desktop file upon publishing, and the compressed size counts against your storage allocation in the Power BI Service. ## Considerations for Large Tables and Refreshing * Column value profiling in the Navigator interface is based on only the first 1,000 rows, which may not represent larger datasets accurately. * Loading large tables (e.g., *incident*) completely can cause timeouts or exceed Power BI's memory limits. * Import mode works reliably with small tables such as *corecompany* and *cmnlocation*. * Incremental refresh might be possible to limit scheduled refreshes to updated rows; however, setup details and licensing requirements remain unconfirmed. ## Practical Implications for ServiceNow Customers Because only import mode is supported, customers should: * Plan refresh schedules carefully to maintain data currency. * Be mindful of dataset sizes and Power BI Pro limits when building reports. * Consider performance impacts when loading large tables and creating joins. * Monitor Power BI memory and timeout constraints during data import. The ServiceNow ODBC driver for Power BI Desktop supports only import mode, not DirectQuery. Understanding this distinction helps you plan refresh schedules and avoid dataset size and large-table filtering issues in your reports. ## Connection modes {#power-bi-import-mode-and-limits__section_overview} DirectQuery mode is preferable for large tables, but the ServiceNow ODBC driver supports only import mode. Selecting Load or Transform Data when you connect to ServiceNow instance imports the queried data directly into the Power BI Desktop file. ## How it works {#power-bi-import-mode-and-limits__section_how_it_works} Import mode and DirectQuery mode differ in where data is stored and when it is retrieved: Import mode : Copies the queried rows into the Power BI Desktop file at connection time. The report reads from this local copy, so the data does not update again until a refresh occurs. DirectQuery mode : Keeps the data on the source system. The Power BI Desktop file stores only metadata and any transformation steps. Data is fetched from the source each time a user runs the report, so each report interaction triggers a new connection and data retrieval from the source. Because import mode copies data into the file, the data becomes stale until it is refreshed. You can refresh manually or set a refresh schedule. Refresh frequency depends on the Power BI license you have. DirectQuery does not require a refresh schedule because each report run fetches current data from the source. A Power BI Gateway is required to refresh an imported dataset on a schedule from the Power BI Service. Joins that you create in the Power BI Model view are processed locally in Power BI, not on the ServiceNow instance. Only joins written directly in a SQL statement are pushed down to the source for processing. For guidance on when to use DirectQuery versus other connectivity modes, see [DirectQuery in Power BI: When to use, limitations, alternatives](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/desktop-directquery-about#quick-decision-guide). ## Dataset size limits {#power-bi-import-mode-and-limits__section_size_limits} Power BI Pro licenses cap published datasets at 10 GB in the Power BI Service. Because the ServiceNow ODBC driver supports only import mode, this limit applies to every report you build with this connection. DirectQuery datasets aren't affected by this limit because they store only metadata, but DirectQuery is not available with this driver. The Power BI Desktop file is saved locally before you publish it. When you publish, Power BI compresses the file and uploads it to the Power BI Service, where it counts against your storage allocation. ## Considerations {#power-bi-import-mode-and-limits__section_considerations} * When you select a table in the graphical Navigator interface, column value profiling is based on only the first 1,000 rows. Selecting Load more on a large table, such as incident, fetches the entire table dataset. This can exceed limits such as a transaction timeout or the Power BI memory limit. This behavior is reliable only for small tables, such as core_company and cmn_location. * Incremental refresh may be available to limit a scheduled refresh to recently changed rows, but the setup steps and licensing requirements are unconfirmed.