topic Re: Report Builder - Alternative in Report Server

Report Builder - Alternative

CEllis — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 11:21:25 GMT

Hi All,

I've been using Report Builder and woundered if there is an alternative solution to create printable pdf reports ?

I appreciate the Report Builder works as its intended but find key functions missing to make Report Building a simpler process.

Specifically not been able to utilise the relationship model in the puiblished PowerBi report when connecting to a powerbi data source.

Many thanks

Chris

Re: Report Builder - Alternative

R1k91 — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 11:26:51 GMT

you can use Visual Studio to create RDLs but Power BI Report Builder is the best choice since it's always aligned with the service.

"
Specifically not been able to utilise the relationship model in the puiblished PowerBi report when connecting to a powerbi data source.
"
do you mean you miss the ability to see the model because is useful to uderstand it and build properly the report?

Re: Report Builder - Alternative

CEllis — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 12:07:18 GMT

From what I understand the relationship model does'nt come across from the PowerBi DataSource.

The DAX from PowerBI Desktop Performance Analyser utilises the relationships but using fields from multiple tables in the Report Builder does'nt.

Re: Report Builder - Alternative

R1k91 — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 12:25:41 GMT

When you build a dataset a in Power BI Report Builder based on a Power BI Dataset datasource you're performing a DAX query over that model. it means you're definetely using the Model, the Relationships and Measures already built in that model.

it's good because you won't have to reinvent the wheel.

Re: Report Builder - Alternative

CEllis — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 13:47:31 GMT

I agree DAX is already written for you in the Performance Analyser in PowerBi Desktop.

I think what I am missing is the ability to drag and drop fields in the 'query builder' in the Report Builder due to the relationships not been recognised.

Re: Report Builder - Alternative

R1k91 — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 15:18:50 GMT

I'm sorry but it seems I'm not getting you.

you can defenetly use drag and drop to build your queries over Power BI Datasets in Power BI report builder.

Re: Report Builder - Alternative

CEllis — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 07:50:47 GMT

If I have this correct , if I drag and drop fields from different tables (not measures) they dont have the link between and run independantly of eachother ?

I've had a look around and found this, does it make sence that if I put any measure in it recognises the relationships ?

Solved: Relationship between tables in Power BI Report Bu... - Microsoft Fabric Community

Re: Report Builder - Alternative

R1k91 — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 09:37:27 GMT

It's defenetly makes sense. Report builder is live connected to power bi dataset and uses the relationships and all the model.

you're just sending a Dax query to the model and it happens exactly the same as creating a report live connected to a dataset in power bi desktop.

Re: Report Builder - Alternative

d_gosbell — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 05:19:32 GMT

R1k91 is completely correct. The relationships work exactly the same in report builder. The only minor difference is that Desktop will do some extra things like injecting a count measure into a query if you don't add one yourself to prevent doing a full cross join of columns from different tables. Report Builder just runs whatever you ask it to run. If you are copying queries from Performance Analzyer they should work identically.