Connect tabular model to Excel via Power BI semantic model

[_bs_]

I have a tabular cube, with myself included in one of the roles.

I can connect to this tabular model via Excel successfully, and would now like to connect to a Power BI semantic model rather instead.

However I get this error:

 

I suspect there additional security needed to be defined, but unsure where.

I have direct access permissions on the data model within the Power BI workspace.

Any suggestions welcome? Thank you.

[v-pagayam-msft]

Hi @_bs_ ,
Thank you for reaching out to us on Microsoft Fbric Community Forum!

The error you are seeing typically occurs when Excel is unable to access the Power BI semantic model due to missing permissions or workspace capacity issues. Please ensure you have Build permission on the dataset, and that it is hosted in a Premium or Fabric capacity workspace, this is required for Excel integration via XMLA. Also, verify that XMLA read access is enabled in the Power BI Admin Portal. If you’re using a role in the semantic model, confirm that the role does not restrict access via DAX filters.  For more help, you may refer to these resources for detailed understanding:
Analyze in Excel for Power BI datasets,
Enable XMLA Endpoints

Semantic model permissions - Power BI | Microsoft Learn
Build permission for shared semantic models - Power BI | Microsoft Learn
 

I hope this resolve your query.If so,give us kudos and consider accepting it as solution.

Regards,
Pallavi.

[_bs_]

Thank you @v-pagayam-msft for your response - I have been through the links and I believe I do have the correct configuration however still unsuccessful. Just to recap in case I missed anything...

• SSAS 2016 Tabular Model published to on-prem Analysis Server with a Administrator permission defined as a role (using my windows login and the same in the AD group)
• Workspace has Pro license (prerequisites says this is fine) with Admin access.
• Semantic model (connecting to SSAS) has direct access with full permissions (using my windows login and the same in the AD group).
• Admin portal with correct group enabled for:
  • Users can work with semantic models in Excel using a live connection
  • Allow XMLA endpoints and Analyze in Excel with on-premises semantic models
• There are no role filters in the semantic model.

Anything look odd/missing?

Thanks

[v-pagayam-msft]

Hi @_bs_ ,
Thank you for the follow-up!
Upon my understanding, Excel live connections via XMLA might require a Premium or Fabric capacity workspace. Refer the link here:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/collaborate-share/service-analyze-in-excel#prerequisites 

Thank you.

[_bs_]

Thank you, if that's the case, we're unlikely to change to Premium or Fabric capacity.

So looks like I need alternative method.

[v-pagayam-msft]

Hi @_bs_ ,
As far as I know, This feature is currently only supported in Power BI Premium or Fabric capacity. If this is important for your scenario, I recommend voting for the idea or share your Idea on the official forum to help prioritize it in future updates: Power BI Ideas.

Hope this helps.If so,consider accepting it as solution.

Thank you.

Regards,
Pallavi

[v-pagayam-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @_bs_ ,

Could you please confirm if you've submitted this as an idea in the Ideas Forum? If so, sharing the link here would be helpful for other community members who may have similar feedback.

If we don’t hear back, we’ll go ahead and close this thread. For any further discussions or questions, please start a new thread in the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum  we’ll be happy to assist.

Thank you for being part of the Microsoft Fabric Community.

[_bs_]

hi @v-pagayam-msft 

I have submitted the idea, see:

https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Fabric-Ideas/Allow-Pro-License-to-connect-tabular-model-to...

Thank you.