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Dataflow - Can dataflow send data back to the source database?

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Posted on by ctrl_kudorje

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So we all know that Dataflow allow us to read data from a source like SAP Hana database or IBM DB2 database. I need to know whether the dataflow is able to send data back to these sources or not. What is the general methodology to send data back from Power Platform applications like Power Apps or Power Automate and please relate that to Dataflows.

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lbendlin 8,649 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Dataflows Gen1 can only write into their Azure Blobs. Dataflows Gen2 can write into other destinations.

In general you should assume that Power Query is used for reading data from a data source. It can technically write back into a source but there is no guarantee that this is deterministic. Means it is highly likely that Power Query will write back more than once.

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Jacqui Muller 64 on at

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I'm not sure if it's the general methodology, but our approach was to use Azure data factory to write data back to the source. Depending on the amount of data you need to write back, you could also use Power Automate. I would not use data flows to write data back because:

1) it should not be possible to do so, so it would be a hack

2) there's no guarantee that it would be stable

3) Tier 1 system data can very easily become compromised.

Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps.

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ctrl_kudorje 173 on at

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Hi @Jacqui Muller: Can you share some high level data pipeline for Azure data factory to write back to On Prem data sources?

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Jacqui Muller 64 on at

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@ctrl_kudorje which on-prem data source are you using? SQL Server?

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ctrl_kudorje 173 on at

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@Jacqui Muller : We use DB2 and SAP Hana, but for the sake of example, i think SQL Server is great.

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Jacqui Muller 64 on at

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The reason I ask is because you would need to install the Power Platform on-premise gateway which you need to connect your data source to. I have done it with SQL Server, which connects easily to Power Automate but I am not sure how it works with DB2. SAP Hana is a different story. There you will need a RFC or a Power Automate Desktop flow, which may actually be the best approach for both data sources.

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