Connecting Power BI semantic models from other workspace

[Anonymous]

Dear all,

I'm implementing Power BI report connecting to the dataset of other teams via Power BI semantic models.

Suddenly I got the error and it points out to one of the workspace containing the dataset that I'm connecting to.

I solved the problem by deleting all the existing tables from that dataset and reconnecting it again with semantic models.

I asked my colleague what did he do and the only thing that we can recognize is changing the workspace's name.

To prevent this kind of problem to happen again in the future, I'd like to have a list of actions that could cause the error related to the connection of other datasets.

1. What actions performed at original dataset/workspace that could cause the connection error (i.e. changing workspace's name, changing dataset's name)?

2. Is there any other ways to reconnect to the dataset apart from deleting the exsiting tables and get data to the semantic models again?

Thank you very much for the support.

Best regards,

Dtip

[v-kpoloju-msft]

Hi @Anonymous, 

Based on your description, it appears the issue arose from changes made to the workspace hosting the semantic model, specifically a workspace rename. While Power BI uses internal IDs to track datasets and workspaces, certain metadata changes like workspace or dataset name changes can disrupt connections, especially in composite models or when consuming semantic models across workspaces.

Actions that may lead to broken connections include renaming the workspace or dataset. Deleting and recreating the dataset, even if it retains the same name (this generates a new ID). Changing the dataset schema (e.g., table or column renames/removals). Modifying workspace access or permissions. Moving the workspace between capacities (e.g., from shared to Premium or vice versa). For more details: Use semantic models across workspaces

Alternatives to deleting all tables when fixing connections: Instead of deleting all tables and reconnecting, consider editing the model in Power BI Desktop: Open the report, go to Model view. Click on the dataset and choose “Make changes to this model” to convert it to a composite model. Reconnect to the correct semantic model without fully deleting tables.

Use Tabular Editor or XMLA: An advanced option to remap tables in the model layer. This provides more control but requires technical knowledge.

Recommendations to prevent this in the future: Avoid renaming or deleting workspaces/datasets that are consumed by others. Use deployment pipelines to preserve dataset GUIDs: Deployment pipelines and semantic models. Check impact analysis before making changes.

If this post helps, then please give us ‘Kudos’ and consider Accept it as a solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

Thank you for using Microsoft Community Forum.

[v-kpoloju-msft]

Hi @Anonymous,

May I ask if you have resolved this issue? If so, please mark the helpful reply and accept it as the solution. This will be helpful for other community members who have similar problems to solve it faster.

Thank you.

[v-kpoloju-msft]

Hi @Anonymous,

I wanted to check if you had the opportunity to review the information provided. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. If my response has addressed your query, please accept it as a solution and give a 'Kudos' so other members can easily find it.
Thank you.

[v-kpoloju-msft]

Hi @Anonymous,

I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any further questions or if you'd like to discuss this further. If this answers your question, please Accept it as a solution and give it a 'Kudos' so others can find it easily.
Thank you.

[Deku]

What type of connection is it? Live, Direct Query over Analysis Servicees or Analysis Services Power Query connector?

[Anonymous]

Hi Deku,

It's not like other data connection which I can decide whether to select import or DirectQuery, but I can still set up the refresh schedule, so I consider it as Import (in this report, I also connect to other types of database like excel online and Sharepoint List)

Best regards