How to create a relationship between these two dates in Live connection?

[LearningPBIX]

I'm trying to create a relationship between these two highlighted dates and use them as one single slicer in live connection? Is it possible to do it?

Appreciate any help.

Thanks

[johnbasha33 · Accepted solution]

Hi @LearningPBIX 

When you're working with a Live Connection (e.g., to Analysis Services or a Power BI dataset) — your ability to create relationships or calculated tables/measures is very limited or entirely read-only, depending on the source. Let's break this down:

---

❓Can You Create a Relationship Between Two Dates in Live Connection?

❌ No, not directly in Power BI

• In a Live Connection, the data model is managed externally (e.g., in SSAS or a published Power BI dataset).

• That means you cannot create new relationships, calculated columns, or new tables inside the report itself.
  
  

  Workarounds

  1. Use a Shared Date Table in the Source Model

  If you own or have access to edit the source model, the best practice is:

  • Ensure both tables with the date fields are related to a single shared Date Dimension

  • Use that shared Date table as your slicer

  This gives you unified filtering without needing a new relationship.
  
  

  Use a “Disconnected” Date Table with Measures (If Not Live)

  If you were using Import mode (not Live), you could:

  • Create a disconnected Date table

  • Use USERELATIONSHIP() in measures to switch context

  But again — this is not possible in Live mode
  

  Request Model Update From Data Owner

  If you need this functionality and can’t edit the model, coordinate with:

  • The dataset/model owner

  • Ask them to:

    • Add a shared Date table

Create relationships from your two tables to that shared Date

Alternative (If You Can't Edit Model)

You can simulate some logic using visual-level filters or DAX measures like:

MyMeasure =
CALCULATE(
[Some Metric],
FILTER(
'Table1',
'Table1'[Date1] = SELECTEDVALUE('DateSlicer'[Date])
)
)

But again, this only works if you have flexibility to write measures — which also may be locked in Live mode.

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