What is the primary benefit of using INNER JOIN instead of OUTER JOIN in Power BI?

The primary benefit of using INNER JOIN in Power BI is that it typically improves query efficiency. INNER JOIN retrieves only those records that have matching values in both tables being joined. This means that the resulting dataset is often smaller, which can lead to faster processing times and more efficient use of system resources.

When you limit the data being pulled into your report or visualization, it allows for more streamlined calculations and reduces load times. Because you're only working with the relevant data that meets the join condition, the performance of your queries can be significantly enhanced, especially if the tables involved are large.

In contrast, OUTER JOIN retrieves all records from one table and the matching records from the other table. It can lead to larger result sets and potentially slower performance, as it processes more data. Therefore, for scenarios where efficiency and speed are priorities, INNER JOIN is the more advantageous choice.