faq.yml

### YamlMime:FAQ
metadata:
  title: "Frequently asked questions for SQL database"
  description: This article answers frequently asked questions about SQL database in Microsoft Fabric.
  ms.reviewer: nzagorac, antho, sukkaur, amapatil
  ms.topic: faq
  ms.date: 09/18/2025
  ms.search.form: SQL database Overview

title: "Frequently asked questions for SQL database in Fabric"

summary: |
  **Applies to:** [!INCLUDE [fabric-sqldb](../includes/applies-to-version/fabric-sqldb.md)]

  This article answers frequently asked questions about SQL database in Microsoft Fabric. For more answers, engage with the [Fabric Community for SQL database](https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/SQL-database/bd-p/db_general_discussion).

sections:
  - name: Connectivity
    questions:
      - question: |
          How do I connect to SQL database in Fabric? 
        answer:
          You can connect to SQL database in Fabric in the same ways you connect to Azure SQL Database. For more information, see [Connect to SQL database in Fabric](connect.md).
      - question: |
          Which connection policies are supported for SQL database in Fabric?
        answer:
          Currently, the only supported connection policy for SQL database in Microsoft Fabric is **Default**. For more information, see [Connection policy](limitations.md#connection-policy).

  - name: About SQL database data in OneLake
    questions:

      - question: |
           Is there a staging or landing zone for SQL database data replication into OneLake? If so, is it outside of OneLake? 
        answer: 
          For the data replicated into OneLake, a landing zone stores both the snapshot and change data, to improve performance when converting files into delta verti-parquet.

      - question: |
          How long does it take to replicate inserts/updates/deletes into OneLake? 
        answer: 
          Near real-time latency.

      - question: |
          Do you support replicating of views, transient or external tables into the OneLake?
        answer: 
          No. Currently, only replicating regular tables are supported.

      - question: |
          Can Power BI reports on SQL database in Fabric use direct lake mode?
        answer: 
          Yes. In OneLake, the SQL database tables are all v-ordered delta tables.

      - question: |
          How do I know Fabric is replicating data from SQL database to OneLake? 
        answer: |
           Use the following database level checks using Dynamic Management Views (DMVs) and stored procedures to validate configuration. [Contact support](/power-bi/support/service-support-options) if troubleshooting is required.
           1. Execute the following query to check if the changes properly flow: 
              ```sql
              SELECT * FROM sys.dm_change_feed_log_scan_sessions;
              ```
           1. If the `sys.dm_change_feed_log_scan_sessions` DMV doesn't show any progress on processing incremental changes, execute the following T-SQL query to check if there are any problems reported:
              ```sql
              SELECT * FROM sys.dm_change_feed_errors;
              ```

      - question: |
          How to stop/disable replication of data from SQL database in Fabric to OneLake?  
        answer: |
          For SQL database in Fabric, the replication of data to OneLake can't be disabled. 

      - question: | 
          Are system objects such as system views and dynamic management views the same as Fabric database mirroring?
        answer: |
          Yes, with the exception of objects that disable the replication.

  - name: Security
    questions:
      - question: |
          Is data ever leaving the customers Fabric tenant? 
        answer: 
          No. 
      - question: |
          Is data staged outside of a customer environment? 
        answer: 
          No. Data isn't staged outside of customer environment, it's staged in the customer's OneLake.
      - question: | 
          Is Private Link available for SQL database in Fabric?
        answer:
          Yes. Private Links are available at the tenant level. For more information, see [Private links](../../security/security-private-links-overview.md).

  - name: Cost management 
    questions:
      - question: |
          What are the costs associated with SQL database in Fabric?
        answer: 
          After February 1, 2025, compute and data storage are charged to your Fabric capacity. Additionally, backup billing will start after April 1, 2025.
      - question: |
          How do I monitor SQL database in Fabric consumption?
        answer: 
          For more information on consumption of your [Fabric Capacity](../../enterprise/licenses.md), see [Billing and utilization reporting for SQL database in Microsoft Fabric](usage-reporting.md). To understand your Fabric billing, see [Understand your Azure bill on a Fabric capacity](../../enterprise/azure-billing.md).

  - name: Monitoring
    questions: 
      - question: | 
          How do I monitor the performance of SQL database in Fabric?
        answer:
          Use the **Performance Dashboard**, with rich information on most expensive/frequent queries, CPU utilization, and alerts on performance critical states. For more information, see [Performance Dashboard for SQL database in Fabric](performance-dashboard.md).

  - name: Reliability
    questions:
      - question: | 
          Does SQL database in Fabric support availability zones?
        answer:
          Yes. For more information, see [Fabric availability zone support](/azure/reliability/reliability-fabric#availability-zone-support).

  - name: Licensing
    questions:

      - question: |
          What are licensing options for SQL database in Fabric? 
        answer:
          A Power BI Premium, Fabric Capacity, or Trial Capacity is required. For more information on licensing, see [Microsoft Fabric licenses](../../enterprise/licenses.md).

      - question: |
          Is SQL database in Fabric billed with Fabric capacity or with Azure capacity?
        answer: 
          Billing for SQL database in Fabric is structured according to the [Fabric Capacity Model](../../enterprise/licenses.md).

  - name: Availability
    questions: 
      - question: | 
          What region is my SQL database located in?
        answer: |
          The SQL database is located in the region of your Fabric workspace. The region of your workspace based on the license capacity, which is displayed in **Workspace settings**, in the **Workspace type** page. 

      - question: |
          Where is SQL database in Fabric available?
        answer:
          See [Fabric availability](../../admin/region-availability.md#all-workloads).

          Mirroring of SQL database in Fabric is available in [Fabric regions that support mirroring](../../mirroring/azure-sql-database-limitations.md#supported-regions).

      - question: |
          My capacity is in a supported region but I still don't see the option to enable SQL database. What should I do?
        answer:
          SQL database in Fabric must be available in the home region of the tenant as well as the capacity region. Check the home region of your tenant. For more information, see [Fabric availability](../../admin/region-availability.md).

  - name: Troubleshooting
    questions:

      - question: |
          Where can I ask questions to the community about SQL database in Fabric?
        answer:
          Engage with the [Fabric Community for SQL database](https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/SQL-database/bd-p/db_general_discussion).

additionalContent: |

  ## Related content

  - [SQL database in Fabric](overview.md)
  - [What's new in Fabric Databases](../../fundamentals/whats-new.md#sql-database-in-microsoft-fabric)
  - [Engage with the Fabric Community for SQL database](https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/SQL-database/bd-p/db_general_discussion)