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Composite models when connected to AS models (PBI datasets and Azure Analysis Services)

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Sander A.'s profile image

Sander A. on 25 Jul 2018 14:39:12

We really love the new feature of 'Composite Models' in the Power BI July 2018 update! This enables us to join custom lists with DirectQuery sources.

It would also be beneficial if this would also work when connected to SSAS Tabular in DirectQuery.
This would stronlgy improve the enterprise features of Power BI.

Administrator on 16 Aug 2020 02:15:40

This is being worked on! It's a long project but active development has started. Stay tuned for more information. Thanks for all the votes and support!

Comments (222)
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522fdc4a 8493-4ee4-90d8-8294fd7f55a5 on 16 Aug 2020 03:56:38

RE: Composite models when connected to AS models (PBI datasets and Azure Analysis Services)

Being able connect to multiple data sources including live connections to live SSAS cubes (both multi dimensional and tabular) is in my opinion one of the most critical features currently missing from PBI. In a large organization where data and insights are available in many SSAS cubes this features would be like having the "holy grail" to enable virtual integration without having to rebuild measures or creating complex and unwarranted physical data integration steps.

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9e7b30a4 ce01-4df3-8ace-22d48e5290f7 on 16 Aug 2020 03:56:37

RE: Composite models when connected to AS models (PBI datasets and Azure Analysis Services)

It would be a helpful feature. Needs to be considerate for the next releases.

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d62cf55c 4adc-4060-9072-77348960477d on 16 Aug 2020 03:56:30

RE: Composite models when connected to AS models (PBI datasets and Azure Analysis Services)

Kind of weird to lack such a basic feature.

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3516964c d1c1-48d4-a2ec-fb4f2021c55b on 16 Aug 2020 03:54:57

RE: Composite models when connected to AS models (PBI datasets and Azure Analysis Services)

The days of trying to anticipate that you will be able to organize data for single connection have long passed - everybody wants/needs federated access to lots of disparate sources with single retrieval. 'Big Data' principles deal w/ it one way, but on smaller, internal scales we are still trying to do the same thing w/ data extracting and external (to the DB) storage locations. A big pain & one reason companies are willing to pay Oracle's expensive price tag.

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26b00f00 06fd-444a-a50e-939261e37861 on 16 Aug 2020 03:54:57

RE: Composite models when connected to AS models (PBI datasets and Azure Analysis Services)

Yes, a thousand times yes. This is important to us.

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b9e92279 fff0-4c28-8e7f-e478096275d5 on 16 Aug 2020 03:54:54

RE: Composite models when connected to AS models (PBI datasets and Azure Analysis Services)

Very important feature. Needs to be considerate for the next releases.

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987e92c5 31f4-47d9-b2b5-9b4fd9d97a96 on 16 Aug 2020 03:54:54

RE: Composite models when connected to AS models (PBI datasets and Azure Analysis Services)

This is a significant limitation, we are currently trying to migrate from SAP Business Objects to the Microsoft platform. However, with Business Objects we can combine queries from multiple universes and then merge the data on dimensions that are the same. My understanding is SSAS is the closest thing Microsoft has to a semantic layer (universe)? In Power BI, you cannot query from multiple SSAS sources or any other data source for that matter once you've made a live connection to SSAS?

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987e92c5 31f4-47d9-b2b5-9b4fd9d97a96 on 16 Aug 2020 03:54:16

RE: Composite models when connected to AS models (PBI datasets and Azure Analysis Services)

We organize our SSAS data sources into subject areas. One subject area per fact table/star schema. We need the ability to merge the data across multiple SSAS data sources as well as pull in third party data source e.g. published census data

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7d87948b 0082-4e5d-979b-85666a81024a on 16 Aug 2020 03:53:28

RE: Composite models when connected to AS models (PBI datasets and Azure Analysis Services)

Very important feature. Need ability to combine multiple sources without having to import data.

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270770d3 c9dd-4a9d-95bf-2b59dfd01cd8 on 16 Aug 2020 03:53:15

RE: Composite models when connected to AS models (PBI datasets and Azure Analysis Services)

I didn't see your post before I made mine with the exact same idea. We need to be able to make a template and switch the data source so we can "plug and play" and not have to re-create the report each time for live connections!