Choosing the Right Storage Mode: Import, Direct Lake, DirectQuery & Hybrid

Fabric introduces new storage capabilities, but also new confusion. With options like Import, Direct Lake, DirectQuery, Composite, and Hybrid tables, it's not obvious which mode to choose for performance, freshness, governance, or cost.

This session cuts through the noise with a clear, practical decision framework. We walk through how each storage mode behaves internally, the trade-offs in memory and compute, common anti-patterns, and the scenarios each mode is best suited for. Along the way, we explore how to design solutions that balance fast performance, low refresh load, and seamless end-user experience.

Understand the capabilities and limitations of each storage mode Learn how storage modes affect refresh, caching, and performance Identify when Direct Lake is appropriate—and when it isn’t Design Composite/Hybrid solutions that minimize complexity Use a clear decision framework to choose the right mode for each workload