![\"\"](\"https:\/\/zappysys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/power-bi-logo-310x310.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/a>Power BI native ODBC connectors do not support DirectQuery.<\/strong> This significant platform limitation forces users into Import mode, preventing real-time data access and causing refresh delays for critical business dashboards. If you have been searching for a “Power BI ODBC DirectQuery workaround”<\/em> or a way to “enable DirectQuery for custom ODBC drivers,”<\/em> this guide provides the exact steps to bridge that gap.<\/p>\nThe Industry Challenge: Standard Power BI ODBC settings lack the DirectQuery option.<\/p><\/div>\n
The Problem: Why “Import Mode” Fails Modern Data Teams<\/h2>\n
While the native Microsoft connector is useful for simple tasks, its lack of DirectQuery support creates several enterprise-level issues:<\/p>\n
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- Stale Data:<\/strong> There is no true real-time reporting, as data is only as fresh as your last refresh.<\/li>\n
- Memory Constraints:<\/strong> Large datasets quickly bloat the Power BI model and increase memory usage.<\/li>\n
- Refresh Overhead:<\/strong> Frequent changes in underlying data require complex and constant refresh schedules.<\/li>\n
- API Lag:<\/strong> Data from cloud apps like Jira, SharePoint, or OneDrive becomes outdated between scheduled updates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Solution: ZappySys DirectQuery ODBC Connector<\/h2>\n
To fix this widespread industry problem, you can use the ZappySys DirectQuery ODBC Connector<\/strong> (a specialized custom Power BI connector). This tool allows you to treat any ODBC source as a live connection, unlocking real-time analytics for databases, APIs, and cloud apps.<\/p>\n
Advanced Capabilities:<\/h3>\n
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- Enable DirectQuery<\/strong> mode for virtually any 64-bit ODBC source.<\/li>\n
- Query live data directly without importing massive datasets into Power BI.<\/li>\n
- Seamlessly integrate with the ZappySys ODBC PowerPack<\/a> for API and JSON connectivity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nStep 1: Install the ZappySys Connector<\/h2>\n
- \n
- First, download and install the ZappySys ODBC PowerPack<\/a>.
\nThis is essential for those using ZappySys drivers (e.g. REST API, JSON, JDBC Bridge (e.g. Trino, Infor, Athena) and more).<\/li>\n- Download the Power BI Connector file:<\/strong> ZappySys-DirectQuery-ODBC-Connector.zip<\/a><\/li>\n
- Copy the extracted
.mez<\/code> file to <your-profile>\\Documents\\Power BI Desktop\\Custom Connectors: (See next section to find exact path)\nExamples:\r\n\r\nC:\\Users\\<YourUsername>\\Documents\\Power BI Desktop\\Custom Connectors\r\nC:\\Users\\<YourUsername>\\OneDrive - <your-company>\\Documents\\Power BI Desktop\\Custom Connectors<\/pre>\n
\nNote:<\/strong> If theCustom Connectors<\/code> folder does not exist, you must create it manually.For finding exact connector folder path see Microsoft Connector Extensibility documentation<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nHow to find the Custom Connector folder Path for Power BI<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Type PowerShell on command line.<\/li>\n
- Run the lines below to print the base path and the full path. You can run one after another or paste both lines.\n
[Environment]::GetFolderPath('MyDocuments')\r\nJoin-Path ([Environment]::GetFolderPath('MyDocuments')) 'Microsoft Power BI Desktop\\Custom Connectors'<\/pre>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nStep 2: Update Power BI Security for Custom Connectors<\/h2>\n
- \n
- Open Power BI Desktop.<\/li>\n
- Navigate to File > Options and settings > Options > Security<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Under Data Extensions<\/strong>, enable the option “Allow any extension to load without validation”<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Save your changes and restart Power BI Desktop to apply the new security policy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
![\"Power](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/power-bi-enable-custom-connectors-security.png\" "\\"Power")
Power BI options security settings to enable custom connectors<\/p><\/div>\n
Step 3: Set Up a 64-bit ODBC DSN<\/h2>\n
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- Open the ODBC Data Sources (64-bit)<\/strong> administrator.<\/li>\n
- Click the System DSN<\/strong> tab and select Add<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Choose your driver (for example, the ZappySys ODBC Driver for API\/Jira\/SharePoint).<\/li>\n
- Save the DSN with a clear name, such as
MyZappyDSN<\/code>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nImportant Architecture Note:<\/strong> Power BI Desktop and the Gateway require a 64-bit DSN; 32-bit DSNs are not supported for this workflow.<\/p>\n
![\"Windows](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/windows-odbc-64bit-system-dsn-setup.png\" "\\"Windows")
Windows 64-bit ODBC DSN Configuration.<\/p><\/div>\n
Step 4: Connecting for Live Data \/ DirectQuery Support<\/h2>\n
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- In Power BI Desktop, go to Get Data > More..<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Search for “zappysys” in the list.<\/li>\n
- Select ZappySys ODBC Connector (For DirectQuery Support)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Provide your DSN name (
MyZappyDSN<\/code>) or a full connection string.<\/li>\n- Select DirectQuery<\/strong> mode and click connect.\n
![\"ZappySys](\"https:\/\/zappysys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/powerbi-custom-odbc-connector-with-directquery-1.png\")
<\/a>ZappySys ODBC Connector – To enable DirectQuery option for ODBC Datasource (Custom Install required)<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Note for PowerPack Users:<\/strong> You can use a full connection string (e.g.,
Driver={ZappySys ODBC Driver};Host=...;<\/code>) by using the “Copy Settings” feature within the ZappySys Driver UI. Read more how to copy full connection string<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Power](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/power-bi-zappysys-directquery-connector-selection.png\" "\\"Power")
Power BI Get Data showing ZappySys DirectQuery ODBC Connector selected<\/p><\/div>\n
Choosing Your Selection Mode<\/h3>\n
When the navigator opens, you must choose how to fetch your data:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Table Mode:<\/strong> Best for simple datasets where you want to select a table from a list.<\/li>\n
- Query Mode (SQL):<\/strong> Recommended for performance. Writing a custom SQL query allows you to filter and join data at the source, which is much faster for DirectQuery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nPro-Tip:<\/strong> To get the full connection string for ZappySys drivers, click “Copy Settings” in the Driver UI and paste it directly into Power BI.
\n<\/div><\/div>\nStep 5: Verify Your DirectQuery Connection (Final Result)<\/h2>\n
Once connected, it is crucial to verify that the report is truly “Live.” A successful connection will change the behavior of Power BI Desktop.<\/p>\n
- Query Mode (SQL):<\/strong> Recommended for performance. Writing a custom SQL query allows you to filter and join data at the source, which is much faster for DirectQuery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Click the System DSN<\/strong> tab and select Add<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Under Data Extensions<\/strong>, enable the option “Allow any extension to load without validation”<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Download the Power BI Connector file:<\/strong> ZappySys-DirectQuery-ODBC-Connector.zip<\/a><\/li>\n
- Memory Constraints:<\/strong> Large datasets quickly bloat the Power BI model and increase memory usage.<\/li>\n