Metadata translation on a live connection to SSAS

[AlB]

Hi all,

We have a very simple pbix that connects live to a model in SSAS (via an on-premises gateway). Using Tabular editor, we add translations for Column1 in a table and Measure1. We also create a Measure2:

Measure2 = USERCULTURE()

 and show the result in a card visual.

When we publish to the Service, the translations for Column1 and Measure1 do NOT work. USERCULTURE() in Measure2 does NOT work either.

However, if in that same pbix  we connect to the SSAS model with Direct Query instead of a live connection everything works. 

Is there an explanation for this?

Thanks 

[v-xingshen-msft]

Hi @AlB ，

In the following documentation, it is mentioned that the USERCULTURE function may not work correctly in the case of a live connection, the main application scenarios being import mode and direct query mode.

USERCULTURE function (DAX) - DAX | Microsoft Learn

Model control in DirectQuery mode:
In DirectQuery mode, Power BI has greater control over the model, which means that you can define and modify many of the attributes of the data model (e.g., calculated columns, metrics) in Power BI.The DAX functions (e.g., `USERCULTURE()), as well as calculated columns, metrics, and so forth in the native model, can be freely created and modified in Power BI without relying on the native support of the data source.
Model control in Live Connection mode:
In Live Connection mode, the connection between Power BI and SSAS is similar to a “viewer” mode, where Power BI is mainly used as a presentation layer to display the data obtained from the data source in real time.
In this mode, Power BI does not add new calculated columns, metrics, or make changes to the data logic in its native model. This is because in real-time connectivity mode, Power BI does not import or hold data, but rather fetches already processed data from SSAS in real-time and visualizes it directly.

What's the difference between live connections and DirectQuery? - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

I hope these documents can solve your confusion, if you have further questions, you can feel free to contact me, I will reply you as soon as I receive your message!

Hope it helps!

Best regards,
Community Support Team_ Tom Shen

If this post helps then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[AlB]

Thanks @v-xingshen-msft 

That does not really clarify why it wouldn't work for the live connection. The metadata translations are implemented in our SSAS tabular model so, even if in live mode, the translations should be available.

Unless there is some built-in limitation for it not to.

I can see the translations if I connect to the SSAS mode from Tabular editor, for instance