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I am receiving the message "an error occurred while loading to the model" if I want to connect to any datasoure (Excel or SQL server). Normally it would specify which query is affected, but this time - nothing! Just the yellow little triangle with the "!" and the generic error message - for every data source.
I've tried to multiple sources that I can all access in a new pbix, but not in the old one.
What could it be?
PS: I have the April 2025 PBI Desktop version
Solved! Go to Solution.
@PBI-Newbie
Here's a checklist of what might be going wrong and how to fix it:
Sometimes, transformations or schema changes in Power Query get out of sync with the data model.
Fix:
Go to Power Query Editor in the affected .pbix
Check each query for errors (especially ones with merge/join or custom steps)
Remove or isolate complex queries to test
Try deleting a problematic query (copy it to Notepad first), then reload.
An invalid relationship (like cardinality mismatch or a missing key) can block loading to the model silently.
Fix:
Open Model view
Review all relationships – delete or disable any that could be failing due to changes in column types or values
Auto-generated date tables sometimes cause corruption when columns are renamed or deleted.
Fix:
Go to File > Options > Data Load, uncheck Auto Date/Time for new files
Save, close, and reopen the file – retry load
If someone used an external tool and made a change that’s invalid (like renaming or removing a measure used in a visual), the model might break silently.
Fix:
Try opening the .pbix
on another machine (fresh install) to rule out local corruption
Check external tools history, if available
If nothing works:
Fix:
Open the broken .pbix
Remove all tables from the model
Try loading just one query – if it works, add others back incrementally
Or, copy all report pages and Power Query steps into a fresh .pbix
.
Use Performance Analyzer (under View tab) and watch what’s loading when it breaks. Sometimes even visuals trying to reference deleted fields can trip things up.
Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution! Appreciate your Kudos !!
Thanks for the quick answer! I've already done step 1. All queries load perfectly if I don't bring in any new ones. Will check the next steps.
sounds good @PBI-Newbie
Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution! Appreciate your Kudos !!
I've unticked the time intelligence and the automatic detection of relationship. Now it works perfectly again. Thanks for the pointers!
@PBI-Newbie
Here's a checklist of what might be going wrong and how to fix it:
Sometimes, transformations or schema changes in Power Query get out of sync with the data model.
Fix:
Go to Power Query Editor in the affected .pbix
Check each query for errors (especially ones with merge/join or custom steps)
Remove or isolate complex queries to test
Try deleting a problematic query (copy it to Notepad first), then reload.
An invalid relationship (like cardinality mismatch or a missing key) can block loading to the model silently.
Fix:
Open Model view
Review all relationships – delete or disable any that could be failing due to changes in column types or values
Auto-generated date tables sometimes cause corruption when columns are renamed or deleted.
Fix:
Go to File > Options > Data Load, uncheck Auto Date/Time for new files
Save, close, and reopen the file – retry load
If someone used an external tool and made a change that’s invalid (like renaming or removing a measure used in a visual), the model might break silently.
Fix:
Try opening the .pbix
on another machine (fresh install) to rule out local corruption
Check external tools history, if available
If nothing works:
Fix:
Open the broken .pbix
Remove all tables from the model
Try loading just one query – if it works, add others back incrementally
Or, copy all report pages and Power Query steps into a fresh .pbix
.
Use Performance Analyzer (under View tab) and watch what’s loading when it breaks. Sometimes even visuals trying to reference deleted fields can trip things up.
Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution! Appreciate your Kudos !!
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