Do I need a gateway for Direct Query to SQL Server?

[jdwalker5]

Hello,

I've read a few related posts regarding this topic but still don't have a clear understanding.  Just need to know if you have to have a gateway to refresh if you're connected to a SQL Server data source and using direct query storage mode.

[Watsky · Accepted solution]

Hi @jdwalker5 ,

For SQL Server you do need a gateway connection.

If by SQL Server you actually meant Azure SQL Database then you would not need a gateway connection. 

Take a look at Power BI data sources - Power BI | Microsoft Docs. This explains which data sources require a gateway connection. 

Hope this helps.

[jdwalker5]

Thank you for the link.  That explains what I needed to know.  The reason I ask is my organization uses both Power BI and Tableau.  The Tableau folks don't understand why a gateway is necessary because I guess it refreshes data differently.  I don't know enough about Tableau to speak to it.