Max number of tables to be included in a Power BI visual

[philthegaps]

Hi there
Let us suppose that I have this model:
Table A --> Table B--> Table C--> Table D
Whatever the relationship cardinality/crossfilter mode, if I try to include a particular field from these 4 tables in a single Power BI Visual, I have a message telling me that "Can't display the visual/Can't determine relationships between the fields". So 3 tables is ok, but not 4.
Can you confirm this limitation ?

Regards

[philthegaps]

Hi Ibendim
Indeed you are right, I try with a very simple model. But then, I wonder what "your data model is not designed for the visual's fields. " means. What could be a wrong direction ?

[lbendlin]

In a Power BI data model the link arrows can go in one direction or in both.

Let's assume your model is 

Table A --> Table B--> Table C--> Table D

which can be interpreted as a Table A being the top dimension, B and C child dimensions, and D being the fact table.  Now let's assume your visual is trying to filter table C by a value from table D.  That is not possible as the arrow is pointing in the "wrong"  direction.  If your data model were

Table A --> Table B--> Table C <--> Table D

then it would be possible (but would have other side effects).  As you can imagine there are many different combinations possible here, and sometimes you will need to use different data models to answer different business questions.

[lbendlin · Accepted solution]

There is no limitation on the number of tables involved (although it is in your interest not to go overboard). What the error message is telling you is that your data model is not designed for the visual's fields. Somewhere you are missing a link, or the link is going in the "wrong" direction.