Forum Discussion
Data Modeling multiple value bridge tables
Hi jswartz_09,
Thank you for clarifying. When you try to include columns from Employment, Work Orders, and Work Completion in one visual, Power BI can’t determine a single filter path because these tables are linked through a many-to-many bridge. Unlike SQL joins, Power BI visuals rely on relationships and filter propagation, so multiple many-to-many paths cause ambiguity that prevents all columns from displaying correctly.
If you need to show columns from each table side by side, the best approach is to flatten the data in Power Query by merging the tables (like your SQL join) or create a summarized reporting table that combines only the needed fields. These options give you a single, unambiguous table for visuals. If you prefer to keep your current model structure, measures like TREATAS can still work for calculations, but visuals showing columns from all tables will require a combined dataset.Refer these links:
1. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-query/merge-queries-overview
2. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/merge-queries-power-query-fd157620-5470-4c0f-b132-7ca2616d17f9Hope this clears it up. Let us know if you have any doubts regarding this. We will be happy to help.
Thank you for using the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.
Hi jswartz_09,
Thanks for sharing the detailed background and model view that really helps. Also, thanks to DataNinja777, Kedar_Pande, for those inputs on this thread.
The issue you are running into happens because the Employment and Work Orders tables are connected through a many-to-many bridge. When you add Work Completion data to visuals that also include Employment fields, Power BI can’t find a single filter path, which causes ambiguity. This differs from SQL joins, where the engine handles row-by-row relationships automatically.
To fix this, start by simplifying your bridge table so it only includes unique pairs of EmploymentID and WorkOrderID, and set the filter direction to flow one way (Employment → Bridge → Work Orders → Work Completion). If you still need to combine Employment and Completion data in the same visual, you can use a DAX measure with the TREATAS function to virtually link them without creating more many-to-many relationships.
Refer these links:
1. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-in/dax/treatas-function-dax
2. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-in/power-bi/transform-model/desktop-many-to-many-relationships
Hope this helps you get your model working the way you expect.
Thank you for using the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.
Yeah sorry someone already answered like this. Unfortunately I have to include a column from each one of the tables into a single table visual. Creating a measure with TRETAS is not what I want to do.
so how would I include a column from each table in a visual?
Hi jswartz_09,
Thank you for clarifying. When you try to include columns from Employment, Work Orders, and Work Completion in one visual, Power BI can’t determine a single filter path because these tables are linked through a many-to-many bridge. Unlike SQL joins, Power BI visuals rely on relationships and filter propagation, so multiple many-to-many paths cause ambiguity that prevents all columns from displaying correctly.
If you need to show columns from each table side by side, the best approach is to flatten the data in Power Query by merging the tables (like your SQL join) or create a summarized reporting table that combines only the needed fields. These options give you a single, unambiguous table for visuals. If you prefer to keep your current model structure, measures like TREATAS can still work for calculations, but visuals showing columns from all tables will require a combined dataset.Refer these links:
1. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-query/merge-queries-overview
2. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/merge-queries-power-query-fd157620-5470-4c0f-b132-7ca2616d17f9Hope this clears it up. Let us know if you have any doubts regarding this. We will be happy to help.
Thank you for using the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.
Hi jswartz_09,
Just checking in to see if the issue has been resolved on your end. If the earlier suggestions helped, that’s great to hear! And if you’re still facing challenges, feel free to share more details happy to assist further.Thank you.
Hi jswartz_09,
Just wanted to follow up. If the shared guidance worked for you, that’s wonderful hopefully it also helps others looking for similar answers. If there’s anything else you'd like to explore or clarify, don’t hesitate to reach out.Thank you.