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Luis92's avatar
Luis92
Regular Visitor
3 years ago
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Dataset Access from PowerBI Desktop

Hi there,   We have a problem with a direct query Dataset but we are unsure if there is a solution for this.    We have a Gateway connection (pointed to our PostgreSQL database) to PowerBI, I hav...
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  • Bipin-Lala's avatar
    Bipin-Lala
    4 months ago

    Hi Luis92,

     

    In Power BI, when you connect to a published dataset, the default behavior is a Live Connection. As you've discovered, a Live Connection is "Read-Only" for the model schema - you can't add tables or transform data.

    To transform data, you have to switch to a Composite Model, which creates a new "chained" dataset or second dataset as you call it.

     

    Solution:

    If you want to give them the ability to "transform" without touching the database, Dataflows are your best friend.

    1. Instead of a DirectQuery dataset, build a Dataflow that connects to your PostgreSQL DB via the Gateway.

    2. Your contributors connect to this Dataflow in Import Mode.

    3. They can transform the data to their heart's content in Power BI Desktop. They never need the database password because the Gateway handles the "handshake," and they only publish one primary dataset.

    Dataflows are ideal in your scenario. Let me know how it goes!

Luis92's avatar
Luis92
Regular Visitor
4 months ago

Hi Bipin-Lala thank you very much for your reply.

This post was from a little ago and eventually our requirements drove us in exactly the direction you mentioned so that's spot on.

Thank you again, will accept your solution.

Regards