Semanic model refresh activity shows no tables - tried workaround

[JonManweiller]

Hi Fabric people!  When I try to use the Refresh Semantic Model activity in a pipeline, I am not able to load the tables:

I saw in another thread that you could "hardcode" the tables using dynamic content, which I tried:

"objects": "@json('\n[\n{\n\"table\": \"_measures\"\n,\"table\": \"bridgeDate\"\n,\"table\": \"DateTable\"\n,\"table\": \"dimDirector\"\n,\"table\": \"dimMetricDetails\"\n,\"table\": \"dimQueue\"\n,\"table\": \"factTelaxAbdCalls\"\n,\"table\": \"factTelaxCallHistory\"\n,\"table\": \"factTimetoAssign\"\n,\"table\": \"factTtlAverageHandleTime\"\n,\"table\": \"factWorkInProgress\"\n,\"table\": \"KPICardFilter\"\n,\"table\": \"MondaySubItems\"\n,\"table\": \"MondaySubItemUpdates\"\n}\n]\n')"

When I run this pipeline it takes time and says that it runs properly and the refresh timestamp of the semantic model is correct, however the data within the model is not updated.

(The model is supposed to show data up to end of last week Saturday, and it is still showing the week before)

If I right click on the semantic model and refresh manually (or do a scheduled refresh on the model directly - it works.

I looked in the KNOWN issues for fabric and I do not see anything in regards to the tables not showing.  I tried to open a support ticket with MS from the admin portal this morning and it won't load.

Can somoene here help me? I validated my table names in the model to ensure they were correct.  Does my issue have something to do with the escape chars that were added?  Do we know if the fact that tables wont show up is a known issue?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[v-echaithra]

Hi @JonManweiller ,

May I ask if you have gotten this issue resolved?

If it is solved, please mark the helpful reply or share your solution and accept it as solution, it will be helpful for other members of the community who have similar problems as yours to solve it faster.

Regards,
Chaithra.

[v-echaithra]

Hi @JonManweiller ,

Thanks for the update.

Update your objects parameter in the refresh pipeline to the corrected JSON format.

Ensure workspace is fully on Fabric capacity.

Whenever you schedule a refresh using a data pipeline, ensure that your dataset is connected to a data gateway, this is especially important if your data source e.g., SQL Server, Oracle is on-premises. The refresh process depends on this gateway, and a misconfigured, overloaded, or offline gateway can result in a refresh that appears successful but doesn’t actually pull in updated data.

Additionally, confirm the following permissions and configurations:

The identity used has the Dataset.ReadWrite.All permission scope.
The user has Build permission on the semantic model, or is a Workspace Admin.
If using a Service Principal, it must be granted tenant-level Power BI API access in the Azure Portal.
The pipeline’s identity should have proper access to the underlying data sources.

In Microsoft Fabric, verify that the Linked Service used in the pipeline for the Semantic Model is correctly configured and authenticated.
Here is a workaround you can try, consider using the Power BI REST API to trigger and monitor the refresh. It gives you more control and visibility.
Reference: Enhanced refresh with the Power BI REST API - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

Best Regards,
Chaithra E.

[JonManweiller]

Is it possible that there is a dependancy that the workspace that houses the semantic model has a Fabric capacity.  IE not a PRO workspace?

[lbendlin]

You need to create a connection first.  

Then refresh the Table(s) section and you will be able to choose them, down to the partition level.

[JonManweiller]

Thank you for the feedback.  I already have a connection created, I even tried creating ANOTHER connection, which did not help.  What does seem to help is changing the workspace that the semantic model is in to a fabric license instead of a PRO license.  

However, interestingly enough I have a scorecard in that capacity as well, and despite the fact tables now load for the semantic model in question, I still see the same issue with the refresh activity for the semantic model of the scorecard.    Screenshot 1 (my semantic model):  

screenshot 2: The semantic model of the scorecard, in the same workspace:

[R1k91]

it is not clearly stated in the documentation that the model should reside in fabric capacity.
anyone from microsoft can confirm it?
Semantic model refresh activity in Data Factory for Microsoft Fabric - Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft ...

[v-echaithra]

Hi @R1k91 ,

It is clearly stated in the documentation regarding the Fabric capacity, please have a look into it. 

Semantic model refresh activity in Data Factory for Microsoft Fabric - Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft ...

Best Regards,
Chaithra E.

[R1k91]

@v-echaithra I've already seen that and it's not clear at all.

The pipeline obviously must reside in a Fabric Capacity Workspace but, as per your screenshot, you can have a PPU or PBI Embedded Workspace and I believe this refers to the target model.

In other words:

- pipeline caller should be in Fabric workspace

- model called should be in PPU, Premium, Embedded or Fabric (basically only PRO remains out)

IMHO docs is not clear