How can you rename Tables in a Dataset without breaking the linked Reports?

[Anonymous]

Hoping someone can help on the below. I have used information from other posts to try and resolve the above question. Below is what i have tried, I think i am very close, but it is still not quite working. Any thoughts, feedback, or suggestions extremely welcome?

The issue i have is that the below allows me to open the amended pbix file, the Dataset Table name has been changed in the diargramlayout file, but when i open the pbix file, the old table name is still present 😞

STEPS:

1. Download the pbix Dataset

2. Right click and select "7-Zip => Open Archive"

3. Open the "DiagramLayout" file with "Notepad++"

4. Change the name of the table i want to amend in this file.

5. "Save As" the file to a local drive (with the same name i.e. "DiagramLayout").

6. Locate the saved file and remove the ".txt" extension

7. Drag and drop this saved file into the 7-Zip open window

8. Click "Yes" when it asks if i want to copy files to archive

9. Open the "Report" folder in the 7-Zip window

10. Performance the same as above for the "Layout" file (i.e. changing the table name {if included within this file}, saving on local drive, remove the .txt extension, and drag and drop into the 7-zip window)

11. Delete the "SecurityBindings" file (to avoid receiving the message that the file is corrupted when trying to re-open)

12. Close the 7-Zip window

13. Open the original pbix Dataset file I started with (with the amended table names in the DiagramLayout) 

I have used a previous post from @a-b to help in my quest, which have been really useful and that is below:
https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/Is-it-possible-to-rename-tables-in-Live-Connection-mode/m-p...

As i said, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[BrandonSQL]

I was running into the same problem with renaming tables/columns in shared "Golden" datasets breaking "Thin" report visuals. Vote for the Idea at the link below: 

https://ideas.fabric.microsoft.com/ideas/idea/?ideaid=72910dde-c46a-ee11-a81c-6045bdb812d1

[lbendlin]

These instructions likely predate the format change that came with the enhanced meta data format release. 

What's the reason for needing to change the table names?

[Anonymous]

Hey @lbendlin thanks for the reply.

The reason i am looking to change the Dataset Table Names is due to the complexity of the current naming convention which is leading to confusion from the end-users. I was hoping to change the names to more user-friendly options, and do so without having to re-connect each visual in the Reports i have connected to the new tables.

As i said, if you have any ideas, they would be greatly appreicated 👍

Thanks  

[lbendlin]

You can (and should) rename your tables/queries in the Power BI Desktop UI.

[Anonymous]

Hey @lbendlin, I have tried renaming the tables in the Power BI Desktop UI, the issue i have is that when i publish the Dataset and then open a linked Report, all the visuals break as they are still linked to the old table names. Any ideas on avoiding this? 

[lbendlin]

Right, I forgot about the composite model aspect. There is no solution other than MOC.

[Anonymous]

Thanks @lbendlin when you say MOC, can you expand a little further please? (sorry bit of a novice)

cheers

[lbendlin]

MOC = Management of Change. Communicating to your users why the links/names have changed, helping them to rewire their reports, listen to their feedback, do better next time.