Forum Discussion
Cant add data to a semantic model
Hello,
I have been trying to modify a semantic model from a previous owner. I was given admin access and have taken ownership of it, but I am still not able to add more data to it. I’d like to know what I’m doing wrong or what I need to do in order to add more data to it.
Hey Adrian_L ,
Even if you now have Admin access and ownership of the semantic model, you still won’t be able to add new data if the model was originally created using a Warehouse / Lakehouse Direct Lake / Live Connection source or published from Power BI Desktop in Report View only.
The “Get data” and “OneLake data hub” buttons are greyed out, which usually means one of the following:
1) The semantic model was originally created in the Service not Desktop. You can view them in Desktop, but you cannot add tables or change the data source.
2) The model is in Direct Lake / Live Connection mode. Direct Lake and Live Connection models do not allow adding additional data sources.
3) The PBIX you downloaded is actually a “thin report”. If the previous owner built a thin report connected to a dataset in the Service, the Desktop file contains no data model, so you cannot add new tables.
Try the following options:
Option A: If it's a Direct Lake / Warehouse dataset. You must add the new tables inside the Warehouse/Lakehouse.
Once added, the semantic model will automatically pick them up.Option B: If you want a fully editable model
-
Download the PBIX (if available)
-
Open it in Desktop
-
Switch the model to Import mode
-
Add your new data sources
-
Republish it as a new dataset cause you cannot overwrite Direct Lake datasets.
Option C: If you only have a thin report. Ask for access to the actual semantic model or recreate a new one with your added data.
Best Regards,
Nasif Azam-
4 Replies
- Nasif_Azam
Super User
Hey Adrian_L ,
Even if you now have Admin access and ownership of the semantic model, you still won’t be able to add new data if the model was originally created using a Warehouse / Lakehouse Direct Lake / Live Connection source or published from Power BI Desktop in Report View only.
The “Get data” and “OneLake data hub” buttons are greyed out, which usually means one of the following:
1) The semantic model was originally created in the Service not Desktop. You can view them in Desktop, but you cannot add tables or change the data source.
2) The model is in Direct Lake / Live Connection mode. Direct Lake and Live Connection models do not allow adding additional data sources.
3) The PBIX you downloaded is actually a “thin report”. If the previous owner built a thin report connected to a dataset in the Service, the Desktop file contains no data model, so you cannot add new tables.
Try the following options:
Option A: If it's a Direct Lake / Warehouse dataset. You must add the new tables inside the Warehouse/Lakehouse.
Once added, the semantic model will automatically pick them up.Option B: If you want a fully editable model
-
Download the PBIX (if available)
-
Open it in Desktop
-
Switch the model to Import mode
-
Add your new data sources
-
Republish it as a new dataset cause you cannot overwrite Direct Lake datasets.
Option C: If you only have a thin report. Ask for access to the actual semantic model or recreate a new one with your added data.
Best Regards,
Nasif Azam -
- Zanqueta
Hi Adrian_L,
This behaviour is common when working with semantic models in Power BI Service (or Microsoft Fabric), because there are restrictions depending on the type of model and the connection mode. Let us review the main points:
Why you cannot add data
- If the model is Direct Lake, DirectQuery, or Live Connection, and de blue color in your table indicated that, you cannot add tables directly in Power BI Desktop. These modes depend on the original source.
- Only Import models allow you to add new tables or sources directly.
How to resolve this
Create a Composite Model In Power BI Desktop:
- Connect to the existing model via Power BI Dataset.
- Enable the option DirectQuery for Power BI datasets and Azure Analysis Services.
- Add new tables (Import or DirectQuery).
- Publish again as a new semantic model.
Official reference:
DirectQuery in Power BI: When to Use, Limitations, Alternatives - Power BI | Microsoft Learn
If this answer was helpful in any way, I would be pleased to receive a 👍, as well as the satisfaction of seeing a DAX measure work for the first time without needing yet another FILTER.
Please mark it as the accepted solution. This helps other community members find the quickest path and saves them from another endless loop 🌀. Hi Adrian_L ,
Thank you Nasif_Azam and Zanqueta for the helpful input!
Were you able to resolve the issue? If the response addressed your query, kindly confirm. This helps keep the community informed and improves solution visibility.
Thank you for your support!Hi Adrian_L ,
I wanted to follow up and see if you had a chance to review the information shared. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to reach out.
Thank you.
