Which configuration should be set to ensure users always use Direct Lake mode in a semantic model?

To ensure that users always utilize Direct Lake mode in a semantic model, the most effective approach is to configure the Direct Lake Behavior option from the model settings. This specific option allows you to dictate how the model interacts with the underlying data sources, ensuring that it consistently defaults to Direct Lake mode for all users.

Direct Lake mode is designed to optimize performance by querying data directly from the storage system, enhancing data accessibility and processing speed. By setting the Direct Lake Behavior option, you minimize the chances of the model defaulting to alternative data access modes, which could lead to suboptimal performance or increased latency.

Other configuration options, while relevant to the model’s behavior, do not specifically enforce the Direct Lake mode as a default for all users. The Default Mode option, for instance, might offer a choice between different modes, but it doesn't specifically cater to ensuring Direct Lake is always used. Similarly, the Storage Location and Mode options deal with aspects of data storage and partitioning, which do not influence the default access method to ensure it remains in Direct Lake mode. Thus, configuring the Direct Lake Behavior option directly addresses the requirement of ensuring that all users are operating under the desired mode.