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Separate Reports From Models in Power BI Desktop - Power BI - Microsoft Learn
Separate Reports From Models in Power BI Desktop - Power BI - Microsoft Learn
Separate Reports From Models in Power BI Desktop - Power BI - Microsoft Learn
When creating a new Power BI Desktop solution, one of the first tasks you need to do is "get data". Getting data can result in
two distinctly different outcomes. It could:
Create a Live Connection to an already-published model, which could be a Power BI dataset or a remote-hosted
Analysis Services model.
Commence the development of a new model, which could be either an Import, DirectQuery, or Composite model.
This article is concerned with the second scenario. It provides guidance on whether a report and model should be combined
into a single Power BI Desktop file.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/guidance/report-separate-from-model 1/5
7/27/23, 11:31 AM Separate reports from models in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/guidance/report-separate-from-model 2/5
7/27/23, 11:31 AM Separate reports from models in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn
Data modelers can still use the Power BI Desktop report authoring experience to test and validate their model designs.
However, just after publishing their file to the Power BI service they should remove the report from the workspace. And, they
must remember to remove the report each time they republish and overwrite the dataset.
So, manage model changes carefully. If possible, avoid the following changes:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/guidance/report-separate-from-model 3/5
7/27/23, 11:31 AM Separate reports from models in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn
Adding new tables, columns, hierarchies, hierarchy levels, or measures is safe, with one exception: It's possible that a new
measure name could collide with a report-scoped measure name. To avoid collision, we recommend report authors adopt a
naming convention when defining measures in their reports. They can prefix report-scoped measure names with an
underscore or some other character(s).
If you must make breaking changes to your models, we recommend you either:
Both options allow you to quickly identify any related reports and dashboards. Data lineage view is probably the better
choice because it's easy to see the contact person for each related item. In fact, it's a hyperlink that opens an email message
addressed to the contact.
We recommend you contact the owner of each related item to let them know of any planned breaking changes. This way,
they can be prepared and ready to fix and republish their reports, helping to minimize downtime and frustration.
Next steps
For more information related to this article, check out the following resources:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/guidance/report-separate-from-model 4/5
7/27/23, 11:31 AM Separate reports from models in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn
Data lineage
Questions? Try asking the Power BI Community
Suggestions? Contribute ideas to improve Power BI
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/guidance/report-separate-from-model 5/5