Forum Discussion
Responsive ResidentAutomatically add distinct identifier to tables from different semantic models?
We often use connections to semantic models of prebuilt reports to stramline or report building. Normally this works fine, but there are cases where we connect to multiple semantic models within one report, each of those having numerous tables.
Is there a way to automatically add a prefix to all tables from different semantic model, to help distinguish between them in the Table & Model views?
In essence, if we have Semantic Model 1, and Semantic Model 2, each with their own tables, we would want to show something like "SM1_Table1, SM1_Table2, ..., SM2_Table1_, SM2_Table2, ..." to help with data management and data model building.
I know we can rename the tables manually, one at a time, but is there an automated way to do it as soon as the data is loaded?
No, there is no built-in or automatic way in Power BI to prefix table names by semantic model when you connect to multiple semantic models.
Option 1: Manual rename (only supported option inside Power BI Desktop)
As you already noted:
Tables can be renamed one-by-one
This is purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect the source model
Unfortunately, there’s no multi-select / bulk rename in Desktop.
Option 2: Naming conventions at the source (best practice)
The only scalable and future-proof solution is:
For example:
SM1_FactSales, SM1_DimDate
SM2_FactInventory, SM2_DimProduct
That way:
Any downstream composite model inherits clarity automatically
No extra manual work per report
No risk of Desktop overwriting changes
2 Replies
- danextian
Super User
Hi SevsBo
There is no native way to do this. Tables added with the same name as existing tables are appended with a number but this doesnt indicate which semantic model a table belongs to. As what SevsBo has stated, you either manually rename the tables as you add them or follow a naming convention for the tables in your semantic model.
- cengizhanarslan
No, there is no built-in or automatic way in Power BI to prefix table names by semantic model when you connect to multiple semantic models.
Option 1: Manual rename (only supported option inside Power BI Desktop)
As you already noted:
Tables can be renamed one-by-one
This is purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect the source model
Unfortunately, there’s no multi-select / bulk rename in Desktop.
Option 2: Naming conventions at the source (best practice)
The only scalable and future-proof solution is:
For example:
SM1_FactSales, SM1_DimDate
SM2_FactInventory, SM2_DimProduct
That way:
Any downstream composite model inherits clarity automatically
No extra manual work per report
No risk of Desktop overwriting changes
