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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 18 Mar 2022 04:15:01

The preview is underway: DirectQuery for Power BI datasets and Azure Analysis Services (preview) | Microsoft Power BI Blog | Microsoft Power BI. Please try it and provide feedback.

Comments (254)
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Esteban on 16 Aug 2020 04:08:08

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

I want to say that I really don't like this idea. I think is a bad idea. If you need add more data sources or join data, you can do it directly in the SSAS project.
But I don't like the idea of enabled the users add diferents data sources in Power BI. I want to have the control of how the users consume the data. This is central feature in the enterprise world when you need data governance.

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Syedhamjath Syedmansur on 16 Aug 2020 04:08:08

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

That's a very good idea, we really need this option. For now, connecting to SSAS live mode disables everything and we have to change the model and it take development effort. Instead end users can import their data set and build report by themselves.

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Sean Earp on 16 Aug 2020 04:08:08

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

I have the opposite perspective as Esteban, but probably for the same reason ;) Since Power BI is all about enabling self-service BI, it may be that a particular team has a small requirement (for example... show the sales for all the customers that attended a sales kickoff meeting at Regional Office X) that isn't important enough for the IT team to implement in a managed SSAS instance (particularly if you are in a large company), and if you can join together some local data (like the list of customers that attended that event), and bring in the official managed sales data... problem solved. If not, people are mashing together this data in Excel and it is REALLY unmanaged.

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Sean Earp on 16 Aug 2020 04:08:08

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

Ha... I just watched Avi's video and he said the exact thing I did, in a much more engaging way. Great video!

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Chris Klimm on 16 Aug 2020 04:08:08

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

We've been waiting for a feature like this for sometime. We've migrated our products from using SAP Business Objects which allows connecting to multiple 'universes' via merged dimensions and lost this important feature. Great to see it's getting some traction.

Note, there is also related idea that already as 373 votes:

https://ideas.powerbi.com/forums/265200-power-bi-ideas/suggestions/12532173-ssas-get-data-multiple-data-sources

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Ned Hassoun on 16 Aug 2020 04:08:07

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

Hello, That would be great! We have 300 users that are waiting for this to happen.

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Stef on 16 Aug 2020 04:08:07

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

Great idea! I also added https://ideas.powerbi.com/forums/265200-power-bi-ideas/suggestions/35583883-composite-models-when-connected-to-power-bi-datase since it's a bit different although similiar requirement!

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ryo on 16 Aug 2020 04:08:06

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

very good feature for little cubes composite and i looking forward to testing into power bi report server future version. December 2018 maybe ?

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Power BI User on 16 Aug 2020 04:08:06

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

I agree completely with this suggestion. Funny: as soon a a great feature is released (composite models), users immediately want more!!

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Sebastian Brueck on 16 Aug 2020 04:08:05

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

Hey Avi, looks like we've got the ball rolling. I am really looking forward to this new feature. Keep up the good work. Thanks!

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