Forum Discussion
Can we improve relationship arrow rendering in the semantic model view?
There are multiple issues with the way relationship arrows are rendered, and this image displays a few of them:
(Note: I am using the web interface, via Edge.)
Is there anything I can do to combat this confusing display pattern? An arrow that points ambigiously is worse than no arrow at all.
If anyone in power is reading: please either give us more control over how these are rendered or make them behave logically.
Example: in the first and last relationships shown above, I know that the arrow has rotated because the connecting lines are not perfectly aligned, but these lines should automatically align vertically as the others have and the arrow should only rotate if there are visible horizontal connectors extending out its sides.
5 Replies
I would recommend to post this suggestion as an idea in the ideas forum
https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/category/fbc_ideas/ideas/fbc_ideas
I agree with the point you made. In addition to that, I feel it would have been great if Microsoft team provides "Auto Align" option in model view, something similar to the option that is available in Fabric Data pipeline. That saves a ton of time./
Thankyou tharunkumarRTK , ShivekMaharaj ShahRukhSameer for Addressing the issue.
Hi kevincron ,
As we haven’t heard back from you, we wanted to kindly follow up to check if the solution provided for the issue worked? or Let us know if you need any further assistance?
Regards,
Chaithanya
Hi kevincron ,
As we haven’t heard back from you, we wanted to kindly follow up to check if the solution provided for the issue worked? or Let us know if you need any further assistance?
Regards,
Chaithanya
Hi kevincron,
I do not think you are missing a setting here.
Microsoft documents editing relationships directly in the semantic model diagram view, including selecting the relationship line and changing properties such as cardinality and cross-filter direction, but I cannot find a documented option for controlling the actual routing/alignment of the relationship lines or arrow rendering in the web model view.
So for the behaviour in your screenshot, I would treat that as a diagram rendering/layout issue, rather than something you can currently configure.
A couple of practical things I would try are:
- move the tables slightly farther apart and see whether the relationship connectors reroute
- reposition the tables so the related columns are more vertically aligned
- compare the same model in Power BI Desktop to see whether the rendering is specific to the web model editor
But I would not expect those to be a reliable fix if the arrow orientation is being chosen automatically by the diagram layout engine.
Microsoft’s current guidance for the web model editor explains how to create and edit relationships, but I do not see any control for forcing connector direction or arrow orientation.
So if this is reproducible, I think submitting it through Fabric feedback / Ideas would be reasonable. The relationship direction itself is important information, and if the arrow visually points in an ambiguous direction then that is more than just a cosmetic issue.
AI-assisted drafting: AI was used to help structure and phrase this response. I reviewed and validated the technical content before posting.
Thanks for your response. I agree that this is a rendering issue, and I was not optimistic that I have any greater configuration options.
Your recommendations regarding repositioning were among the first things I tried. Sadly, no amount of pixel-level nudging of the objects will result in proper arrow alignment, in many cases.
I will take your advice regarding the desktop app and see if the issue persists there.
