1. Direct Query: This method allows users to connect directly to a data source and query it in real-time. For example, you can connect to a SQL Server database and query the data directly.
2. Import: This method allows users to import data into Power BI from a variety of sources such as Excel, CSV, and text files. For example, you can import data from an Excel spreadsheet and then use it to create visuals in Power BI.
3. Power Query: This method allows users to transform and clean data from various sources. For example, you can use Power Query to transform an Excel spreadsheet by adding new columns or filtering out unwanted data.
4. API: This method allows users to access data from web services such as Google Analytics or Salesforce. For example, you can use the Google Analytics API to pull data into Power BI and create visuals.
5. Custom Connectors: This method allows users to create custom connectors to access data from a variety of sources. For example, you can create a custom connector to connect to a MongoDB database and query the data.