How to avoid cross-join / cartesian product on Pivot table using SSAS Tabular?

[petrovnikitama1]

I have an SSAS Tabular model that I connect to through Excel. How can I avoid calculating the Cartesian product when no measure is selected?

In our company, we have Self-Service BI, and often users first display attributes and only then add measures. Because no measure is selected, the system starts calculating the Cartesian product, which creates a significant load on the server. Is it possible to technically restrict this? I know that in the multidimensional model, it was possible to configure a default measure, but this option is absent in the Tabular model.

Using "Both Direction" for relationships doesn't work for me because a single model can have multiple fact tables.

[v-sshirivolu]

Hi @petrovnikitama1 ,
I would also take a moment to thank @lbendlin  , for actively participating in the community forum and for the solutions you’ve been sharing in the community forum. Your contributions make a real difference.
 

I wanted to check if you had the opportunity to review the information provided. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions

[lbendlin · Accepted solution]

How can I avoid calculating the Cartesian product when no measure is selected?

That's not possible. A measure is mandatory for the filters to be applied.

(you could make the links bidirectional but that's generally a bad idea)