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vetri1982's avatar
vetri1982
New Member
10 months ago
Solved

Creating a "Display Folder" to group measures logically for customer

Hi Experts, 

 

Source of my PowerBI semantic model is SQL Server, we are working on migrating universe from SAP BO to PowerBI, SAP BO can logically group the columns by folders for end user's usage, need similar logical grouping of columns under a folder from different tables (fields from multiple tables grouped into one folder). 

 

Tried to check Display folder option as suggested in forum responses, however I couldnt find in modeling field properties. Reaching for expert advise to achieve similar functionality in PowerBI. 

 

Any support would be appreciated. 

Need Help
  • ajaybabuinturi's avatar
    ajaybabuinturi
    10 months ago

    Hi vetri1982,

    I would like to let you know that Power BI’s Display Folder feature can group measures and columns, but only within their own table. Unlike SAP BO universes, Power BI does not allow

    • Duplicating physical columns into a standalone folder
    • Moving a column out of its table
    • Creating a universal folder that contains fields from multiple tables

    This is a limitation of Power BI’s semantic model.

     

    If your goal is to collect certain fields for end users in one place then create calculated table by using CALCULATETABLE() / ADDCOLUMNS that contains new calculated columns pointing to the original table values. Then hide those columns(which you want in the separate table) in the original table, which ensures that the columns won't be visible for the end users but it keep updates the data in the original table. These columns can then be grouped inside display folders. 

    Please Note: Calculated columns in a calculated table are static and do not automatically reflect changes unless refreshed.

    Thanks,
    If you found this solution helpful, please consider giving it a Like👍 and marking it as Accepted Solution✔. This helps improve visibility for others who may be encountering/facing same questions/issues.

6 Replies

  • ajaybabuinturi's avatar
    ajaybabuinturi
    Icon for Super User rankSuper User
    10 months ago

    Hi vetri1982,

     

    I believe you are on track, you can group measures and columns by using Display folder option in modeling. 

    Model view(1) --> Select table(2) --> Select the columns/measures which you want to group(3) (select multiple columns/measures by using ctrl button) --> Provide Display folder name(4) -->Press Enter button.

     

    Thanks,
    If you found this solution helpful, please consider giving it a Like👍 and marking it as Accepted Solution✔. This helps improve visibility for others who may be encountering/facing same questions/issues.

  • Zanqueta's avatar
    Zanqueta
    Icon for Super User rankSuper User
    10 months ago

    Hi vetri1982 

    To achieve logical grouping of fields (including measures and columns from different tables) under a single folder in Power BI — similar to how SAP BO allows grouping in folders — you can use Display Folders in the Power BI data model.

     

    🛠️ Steps to Create Display Folders:

    1. Open Power BI Desktop.
    2. Go to the Model view (icon with three tables on the left pane).
    3. Select the measure or column you want to group.
    4. In the Properties pane (usually on the right), locate the field “Display folder”.
    5. Enter a folder name (e.g., "Customer KPIs").
      • To create subfolders, use a backslash: "Customer KPIs\Growth Metrics".
    Repeat this for each field you want to group under the same folder.

     

     

     

    If this response was helpful in any way, I’d gladly accept a 👍much like the joy of seeing a DAX measure work first time without needing another FILTER.

    Please mark it as the correct solution. It helps other community members find their way faster (and saves them from another endless loop 🌀.

  • vetri1982's avatar
    vetri1982
    New Member
    10 months ago

    Zanqueta / ajaybabuinturi , appreciating your quick responses, is there a way to pull out/duplicate the columns from different tables and showcase them out side of the tables herarchy within a separate folder? 

    • ajaybabuinturi's avatar
      ajaybabuinturi
      Icon for Super User rankSuper User
      10 months ago

      Hi vetri1982,

      I would like to let you know that Power BI’s Display Folder feature can group measures and columns, but only within their own table. Unlike SAP BO universes, Power BI does not allow

      • Duplicating physical columns into a standalone folder
      • Moving a column out of its table
      • Creating a universal folder that contains fields from multiple tables

      This is a limitation of Power BI’s semantic model.

       

      If your goal is to collect certain fields for end users in one place then create calculated table by using CALCULATETABLE() / ADDCOLUMNS that contains new calculated columns pointing to the original table values. Then hide those columns(which you want in the separate table) in the original table, which ensures that the columns won't be visible for the end users but it keep updates the data in the original table. These columns can then be grouped inside display folders. 

      Please Note: Calculated columns in a calculated table are static and do not automatically reflect changes unless refreshed.

      Thanks,
      If you found this solution helpful, please consider giving it a Like👍 and marking it as Accepted Solution✔. This helps improve visibility for others who may be encountering/facing same questions/issues.

  • v-saisrao-msft's avatar
    v-saisrao-msft
    Icon for Community Support rankCommunity Support
    10 months ago

    Hi vetri1982,

    Checking in to see if your issue has been resolved. let us know if you still need any assistance.

     

    Thank you.