Exam PL-300 topic 1 question 11 discussion

We can import an excel file from multiple connectors (excel workbook, folder, web, sharepoint) but if we must refresh the data from the service with no gateways then We must use web and sharepoint connectors

A, B, C: wrong! Would work technically, but the connection will be only to the local copy of the file, no refresh from the online version stored on OneDrive D: correct, but more complicated than option E E: correct, this is the best option to import from OneDrive

Excel/Workbook, Text/CSV

For people who are using chat GPT, if you ask another question: which connectors allow refresh from powerbi.com, it will show you that if the file is on OneDrive, we should connect it via SharePoint, not a direct support. It answered A because it is a possibility and GPT does not always consider all the logic.

It doesn’t say Sharepoint folder. It explicitly says OneDrive.

Correct Answers: A. Excel Workbook: This is a direct and commonly used connector for importing Excel files into Power BI. It supports OneDrive integration and allows scheduled refreshes on powerbi.com. D. SharePoint Folder: If the file is stored in a OneDrive folder, which is backed by SharePoint in the backend, the "SharePoint Folder" connector can be used to access it. This method is also refreshable. Explanation of Other Options: B. Text/CSV: Not applicable for Excel files unless the file is exported as a .csv. Even then, it won't support refresh like the Excel connector. C. Folder: Used for combining files in a folder but not specifically for accessing a single Excel file in OneDrive. E. Web: Can be used if the file is accessible via a web URL (e.g., a public link), but this is not optimal or commonly used for OneDrive-stored files.

Since the Excel file is stored in a OneDrive folder, you need a connector that allows cloud-based access and scheduled refresh in Power BI Service. ✅ A. Excel Workbook (Correct) This is the most direct and recommended way to connect to an Excel file stored in OneDrive. It allows scheduled refresh in Power BI Service. ✅ D. SharePoint Folder (Correct) OneDrive for Business is built on SharePoint, so the SharePoint Folder connector can also be used. This is useful if you need to access multiple files in a OneDrive folder at once. It supports scheduled refresh in Power BI Service.

I tested this and answer is confirmed A and E. Question is what connectors, Excel workbook is a clear choice as stated on the question "Microsoft Excel file in a Microsoft OneDrive folder" when you select the 'excel workbook' connector, it grabs the file from one Drive. And E is the other clear answer (Web) connector, on the excel file , go to file>Info>copy path. Use the path and paste it on the URL section and I was able to retrieve and do a refresh. Nothing on the question that states excel is stored on a sharepoint folder so it is A and E for me.

Tried Option A and it works. When you have OneDrive syncing on your machine then this option is simple and Straight forward. D: Onedrive for business is built on SharePoint Online, hence you can access Ondrive files from SharePoint folder connector

I would vote for A and D options. Excel connector looks like requiring local gateway and web option in Semantic Model (former Dataset) I just tried is offering "Web API" and "Web Page" available options which doesn't look correct to me

Correct Answer A and D A. Excel Workbook D. SharePoint folder You can use the "Excel Workbook" connector to connect to the Excel file stored in OneDrive and import it into a Power BI dataset. This connector allows you to select the OneDrive folder where the file is located and specify the file name. You can also use the "SharePoint folder" connector to connect to the OneDrive folder and import the Excel file into a Power BI dataset. This connector allows you to specify the URL of the OneDrive folder and navigate to the Excel file within the folder. Using either of these connectors ensures that the dataset can be refreshed in Power BI, as the connection to the OneDrive folder will remain active even if the Excel file is updated or moved within the folder. No confusion, and no need to discuss further

Correct Ansers A. Excel Workbook D. SharePoint folder To ensure that the dataset can be refreshed in powerbi.com, you can use the Excel Workbook connector or the SharePoint folder connector to connect to the Excel file in Microsoft OneDrive. The Excel Workbook connector allows you to connect to an Excel file in OneDrive and create a Power BI dataset directly from the file. This connector also enables you to schedule automatic refreshes of the dataset to ensure that the data is always up-to-date. The SharePoint folder connector allows you to connect to a SharePoint folder where the Excel file is stored, and then you can select the Excel file to create a dataset. This connector also supports automatic refreshes of the dataset. Using either of these connectors will ensure that the dataset can be refreshed in powerbi.com, as long as the OneDrive file is accessible and the credentials used to connect to the file are valid. No confusion, and no need to discuss further

I believe A & C are the right answers. I have my excel file in Onedrive and I connect to the dataset through this means and refresh my dashboards. We can import excel files directly from Onedrive which is cloud. gateway connection isnt needed.

schedule refresh without a gateway

Answer: A. Excel Workbook and D. SharePoint folder Reason: Excel Workbook (A): Directly connects to an Excel file stored in OneDrive. Power BI supports this connection type, and the dataset can be refreshed in Power BI service. SharePoint folder (D): Connects to files stored in SharePoint, which includes OneDrive for Business. This allows Power BI to access and refresh the Excel file as long as it's in a SharePoint or OneDrive for Business folder. Text/CSV (B): Used for CSV files, not Excel files. Folder (C): Used for multiple files in a folder, not specifically for a single Excel file. Web (E): Used for web URLs, not for files stored in OneDrive.

You need to ensure that the dataset can be refreshed in powerbi.com

a and c are correct. it requires physical copies to be imported into the power bi dataset and not some data gateway as in the case of web and sharepoint.