Access to Semantic Model for Non-Licensed Users in Fabric Capacity below F64

[BharathKumarS]

Hi, 

In Microsoft Fabric capacity–backed workspaces, a non-licensed user with Viewer access is able to view published Power BI reports but cannot access the underlying semantic model. This behavior is confirmed in a workspace backed by F64 capacity.

I would like to understand whether this behavior changes for lower Fabric capacities.'

Can a non-licensed user with only Viewer access in an F2-backed workspace connect to the semantic model using Excel (Analyze in Excel) or Power BI Desktop (live connection), or is semantic model access restricted regardless of the F-SKU, requiring a atleast member access on wsp?

Thanks

Bharath Kumar S

[MasonMA · Accepted solution]

Hi,

A lower Fabric capacity like F2 does not change how semantic model permissions work. Even on small F‑SKUs, a user who doesn’t have a Power BI license and only has Viewer access can open published reports, but they can’t connect to the underlying semantic model through Excel (Analyze in Excel) or Power BI Desktop.

To access a dataset directly, users still need either a Power BI Pro/PPU license or a higher workspace role such as Member or Contributor. The behavior is the same across all Fabric capacities, including F2 and F64.

[cengizhanarslan · Accepted solution]

Fabric capacity (F64) removes the Pro license requirement for report consumption, but not for semantic model access. Also, Connecting to a semantic model via:

• Analyze in Excel

• Power BI Desktop (Live connection)

• Excel PivotTables

• External tools

is treated as authoring / reuse, not simple viewing. So they would need a Member / Contributor / Admin permission for those.

[v-veshwara-msft]

Hi @BharathKumarS ,

Just checking in to see if you query is resolved and if any responses were helpful.
Otherwise, feel free to reach out for further assistance.

Thank you.

[v-veshwara-msft]

Hi @BharathKumarS ,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Fabric Community.

Just wanted to check if the responses provided were helpful. If further assistance is needed, please reach out.

Thank you.

[pankajnamekar25 · Accepted solution]

Hello @BharathKumarS 

A non-licensed user with Viewer access:
Can view Power BI reports
Cannot access or connect to the semantic model

To access the semantic model, the user must have
At least Member (or Contributor/Admin) workspace role, or
A Power BI Pro / PPU license

This behavior is consistent across all Fabric capacities, including F2 and F64.

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[cengizhanarslan · Accepted solution]

Fabric capacity (F64) removes the Pro license requirement for report consumption, but not for semantic model access. Also, Connecting to a semantic model via:

• Analyze in Excel

• Power BI Desktop (Live connection)

• Excel PivotTables

• External tools

is treated as authoring / reuse, not simple viewing. So they would need a Member / Contributor / Admin permission for those.

[MasonMA · Accepted solution]

Hi,

A lower Fabric capacity like F2 does not change how semantic model permissions work. Even on small F‑SKUs, a user who doesn’t have a Power BI license and only has Viewer access can open published reports, but they can’t connect to the underlying semantic model through Excel (Analyze in Excel) or Power BI Desktop.

To access a dataset directly, users still need either a Power BI Pro/PPU license or a higher workspace role such as Member or Contributor. The behavior is the same across all Fabric capacities, including F2 and F64.