Optimizing dataflows
A Power BI Dataflow is a type of artifact contained within a Power BI workspace. A dataflow contains Power Query data transformation logic, which is also defined in the M query language that we introduced earlier. The dataflow contains the definition of one or more tables produced by those data transformations. Once it has been successfully refreshed, the dataflow also contains a copy of the transformed data stored in Azure Data Lake.
A dataflow might seem very similar to the query objects you define in Power BI Desktop, and this is true. However, there are some important differences, as noted in the following points:
- A dataflow can only be created online through the Power BI web application via Power Query Online.
- A dataflow is a standalone artifact that can exist independently. It is not bundled or published with a dataset, but dataset items can use the dataflow as a standard data source.
- There are some UI and functionality differences between...
