Azure Databricks Connector vs Partner Connect

[jakaihammuda]

Hello,

We are newly adopting Azure Datbricks as our platform for data.

Im researching and testing the best method of connection for furture PowerBI reports.

What im strugling to see a difference in, is between connecting to Clusters or an SQL Warehouse, through Partner Connect / Azure Databricks connector (manually in PBI)?

They both provide the correct connection details

Both support Import/Direct Query (we will typially only be using import)

I cannot see a significant difference as to why one would be used over the other? We do not need a gateway configured also for either.

Is anybody able to provide any of level of expertise as to why one is preferred over the other?

[3CloudThomas]

Yeah, none of those posts are verified by someone from Microsoft.

Here is the team I would watch about databricks connectors
Advancing Spark - Power BI Databricks Connector with Native SQL (youtube.com)

[3CloudThomas]

I have seen both used and it seems to be the preference of the developer.
I would watch the monthly new features (Power BI Blog—Updates and News | Microsoft Power BI) for changes to either (updates). Also, watch out for Databrick blogs to find the direction Microsoft is trying to lead you to.

Connect Power BI to Databricks | Databricks on AWS
Connect Power BI to Azure Databricks - Azure Databricks | Microsoft Learn

[jakaihammuda]

Thank you for your reply!

Yeah ill keep an eye out. doesnt really seem to be much out there which gives a clear definition as to why there are both options.

While I have you here @3CloudThomas , on the topic of Databricks with PowerBI. Is query folding no applicable when connceting to Azure Databricks?

Ive seen many people frustrated about it, only seen one post that provdes a "workaround" that failed to work for me....cant conlude if its something that can be enabled or not..

this was the post i saw Query Folding Azure Databricks (linkedin.com)