SQLServerCentral Article

What Power BI DirectQuery does to your SQL Server (and how to fix it)

Power BI DirectQuery can quietly overwhelm your SQL Server. Unlike Import mode, DirectQuery sends live T-SQL for every visual interaction, multiplying queries and placing heavy analytical load on the database. This article explains how to identify the worst offending DirectQuery queries, why the generated SQL is often inefficient, and what you can do from the database side, including indexing, Query Store, and reporting views, to improve performance. It also outlines practical changes on the Power BI side and when DirectQuery is simply the wrong architectural choice.

External Article

How User-Defined Types work in PostgreSQL: a complete guide

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say, sometimes I get sidetracked. In this particular instance, I hadn’t intended to start learning about User-Defined Types (UDT) in PostgreSQL – I just wanted to test a behavior that involved creating a UDT. But, once I started reading, I was hooked. I mean, four distinct UDTs with different behaviors? That’s pretty cool. Let’s get into it.

Stairway icons Database Deployments

Designing Database Changes Before Deployment: Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments Level 1

Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments introduces a progressive approach to managing database changes with clear intent, predictable rollback, and explicit behavioral guarantees. Starting from change design and moving toward execution and coordination in complex environments, the Stairway provides a conceptual framework for deploying database changes safely and consistently, independent of specific tools or automation platforms.

Blogs

Asking for Help Isn’t a Weakness

By

During COVID, I attended training on software/enterprise architecture given by Mark Richards. One of...

The Proof of the Backup Is in the Pudding

By

For me, the objective is straightforward: have a backup strategy that is reliable, understandable,...

T-SQL Tuesday #204 – Are blogs still relevant?

By

Note: This post is the invitation for T-SQL Tuesday #204 on November 3rd, 2026....

Read the latest Blogs

Forums

The ##MS_DatabaseConnector## User

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item The ##MS_DatabaseConnector## User

Planning for Change

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item Planning for Change

Importing Excel files into SQL Server, Azure Edition

By Cláudio Tereso

Comments posted to this topic are about the item Importing Excel files into SQL...

Visit the forum

Question of the Day

The ##MS_DatabaseConnector## User

On SQL Server 2025, I run this code as a sysadmin: 

CREATE LOGIN Demo WITH PASSWORD = 'Demo1234567'
GO
ALTER SERVER ROLE ##MS_DatabaseConnector## ADD MEMBER Demo
GO
I then login as Demo and run this: 
USE sandbox
go
SELECT CURRENT_USER
What is returned?

See possible answers