Composite model: update model after table name changing

[francesco74]

Hi everyone!

I created a composite model in Power Bi desktop, consisting of: a direct query connection to a dataset published in the Power BI service + some local excel files.
Everything works very well!
The problem arises when I change the names of some tables in the dataset.
After publishing the dataset with the changed names, I opened the report with the composite model in Power BI desktop. I expected the refresh button to force update the changed table names.
But it doesn't work! I have not found any way to update the names in an easy way.

In your opinion, how to solve this problem: update the composite model when the name of a table in a connected dataset changes.
Thanks for your collaboration
Francesco

[heloise]

Hi Francesco!

I have the exact same problem, but I found a solution, that is not great, but it working. 

Here is my architecture:

- 1 golden dataset

- 1 composite model dataset that uses to golden dataset + a Onedrive excel file

- 1 report that is made from the composite model (directly on the same file as the dataset).

What changed:

>I changed the name of 2 columns in the golden dataset (and added another one)

What wasn't working:

On Desktop when I try to update the composite model, I get an error, saying there is not "old column name" in the golden dataset. I believe however that the data on the report on PBI Service was still updated (not sure cause I have another issue on the golden dataset).

How I fixed it:

I've seen that I can rename the columns in the composite model (right click ; rename).

So I renamed both columns with the new name from the golden dataset. 

The composite model can now be updated. 

I've noticed that the new column now appeared as well. 

>My solution is not great because in case you'd make heavy changes to the golden dataset, the data doesn't follow up. 

other solution ; I had tried to delete the tables that are from the golden dataset to then add again the golden dataset as a source. The problem is that once you delete the tables, Desktop asks you to apply the changes, but it won't work as it cannot find the data. 

[v-xiaotang]

Hi @francesco74 

Go to Power Query Editor - Advanced Editor, and change the table name, then republish the pbix file.

Best Regards,

Community Support Team _Tang

If this post helps, please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[francesco74]

Hi @v-xiaotang ,

Report1.pbix is connected with direct query to dataset "Dataset1" published on Power BI Service and with 4 imported excel files. This is a "composite" model.
So, when I use Power Query Editor - Advanced Editor I only find the queries referring to the 4 imported excel files, but obviously I can't find the dataset connected by direct query.

I'm afraid my problem can't be solved with Power Query
Anyway, thank you for your contribution.
Francesco

[amitchandak]

@francesco74 , Are you using this composite model as a data file, and then using it, in a visual file?

[francesco74]

I try to explain the architecture:

Report1.pbix is connected with direct query to dataset "Dataset1" published on Power BI Service. The Report1.pbix, with a composite model, joins the connected dataset1 to 4 imported excel files (with new relationships between the dataset tables and the excel imported tables).
The pages of Report1.pbix have visuals that use fields from the composite model.
It works! Even when I publish report1.pbix

My problem is this: if I change the name of a table in Dataset1 I cannot update the composite model of Report1.pbix with this change.

Thanks for your cooperation