Forum Discussion

bhalicki's avatar
bhalicki
Helper V
9 months ago
Solved

DAX UDFs / Shared Semantic Model

Hi all,   I rely heavily on shared semantic models as a way to reduce development effort (often have one model with 20 or so reports connected).   Is there a way to create a DAX user defined fun...
Need Help
  • GeraldGEmerick's avatar
    GeraldGEmerick
    9 months ago

    bhalicki In my testing, UDF's do not work like measures in that they are not available when Live connected to the model. I have tested this and I cannot seem to see any defined UDF functions in the Live connected semantic model. I do not have any kind of local model either. 

Ahmed-Elfeel's avatar
Ahmed-Elfeel
Super User
9 months ago

Hi bhalicki,

To be Clear when you have shared semantic model (with your UDF) and Local model in your report file (The report only sees the local model's functions not the shared model's UDFs).

 

To Fix This:

  • Use ONLY Live Connection to the shared semantic model

  • Remove any local tables/data from your report

  • Connect directly to the published semantic model

To Check it:

  • Open your report in Power BI Desktop

  • Go to Model view

  • If you see any local tables (delete them)
  • Ensure you are connected via Live Connection to your shared semantic model

Finally once you are using a pure Live Connection you will see the UDF from your shared model and can use it in measures

 

Th Short answer is that is no need to publish UDFs in local models (that defeats the whole purpose of shared semantics)

 

I hope this was helpful ☺️❤️

GeraldGEmerick's avatar
GeraldGEmerick
Super User
9 months ago

Ahmed-Elfeel I have tested this and, unfortunately, have to disagree. I have setup UDFs in a semantic model, published the model, created a new blank report, connected Live to the the published model and I do not see the UDFs in the original model. 

  • Ahmed-Elfeel's avatar
    Ahmed-Elfeel
    Super User
    9 months ago

    Hi GeraldGEmerick,

    Are you sure that UDFs is in your report?

     

    1. First you should verify UDF is actually in your model:
      • Open semantic model → Model view → Check Model explorer for "Functions" folder
      • If not there you did not save it to the model properly
    2. Try using UDF manually (even if invisible):
    -- Type this exactly do not wait for IntelliSense

Test Measure = YourUDFName([Measure1], [Measure2])

     

    Check preview features:

    • Both model AND report Power BI need DAX UDFs preview enabled

    • Restart after enabling

    Also here is some resources you can check:

    • GeraldGEmerick's avatar
      GeraldGEmerick
      Super User
      9 months ago

      Ahmed-Elfeel The UDF is in the report. Connected Live, the UDF functions do not show up in DAX Query View. Also, Intellisense does not "see" the functions. This is all in Power BI Desktop. That said, the UDFs are apparently useable but not sure how anyone would know that.