Model relationships breaking unexpectedly when visualizing Planning table columns in Power BI

[Databasic]

Hi

We are going to change ERP system and I have to alter my data so we can upload it in the right format to our ERP system.

Here’s my current setup:

• All relevant columns are formatted as Text via Power Query.

• I use a central Name table, which contains unique rows per 4-digit-code.

• This code links both to Planning and RM_Film via bidirectional one-to-many relationships (Name is on the "one" side).

• There are no blanks or mismatches—codes are clean.

Additionally:

• I created a small Fixed table with static values, joined to Name using an Index column.

• I use calculated columns like this:

GEWEI =

VAR Unit = RELATED('Name'[MEINS])

RETURN

SWITCH(

        Unit,

        "KG", "Kg",

 "M2", "G",

         BLANK()

    )

I’m trying to build a table visual containing selected columns from Name, RM_Film, and Planning, structured to match our ERP import format. It needs to be dynamic so we can run multiple simular reports when we test our ERP.

What’s baffling:

• Initially, making the relationships bidirectional solved the problem and let me build the table as expected.
• Later, after adding more columns (incl. calculated columns), the same error returned: “relationship not found” when pulling anything from Planning.
• I rolled back by removing those columns—but the error persisted.
• I even recreated the entire file and again reached a point where the visual worked—until I added a Planning column and it broke, although the relationships hadn’t changed.
• Everything else seems stable. The same issue doesn't happen when I build a separate visual with just Planning and Name.

What it should look like

CLASS_01

DWERK

VERSG

KTGRM

MTPOS

MTVFP

TRAGR

LADGR

PRCTR

STAWN

MTVER

HERKL

HERKR

EKGRP

EKWSL

FPFILM

BE40

1

YY

NORM

F1

1

1

GC-AAV

48115900

1

BE

B10

A002

FPPAP

BE40

1

YY

NORM

F1

1

1

GC-AAV

48025515

1

DE

B10

A002

Reason why I don't use Power Query in Excel:

• Our database server runs Excel 2010, which lacks modern Power Query features.

• I prefer to visualize and manage relationships transparently in Power BI.

• It worked yesterday—and now it doesn’t. I’d love insight into what could be causing this inconsistency.

Any help or ideas would be amazing. Thanks!

[v-pnaroju-msft]

Thankyou, @rajendraongole1, for your response.

Hi Databasic,

We appreciate your question on the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.

Based on my understanding of the issue, please find attached a screenshot and a sample PBIX file that may assist in resolving the matter:

We hope the information provided helps to resolve the issue.
Should you have any further queries, kindly feel free to contact the Microsoft Fabric community.

Thank you.

[rajendraongole1 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Databasic  - Only keep Name → Planning and Name → RM_Film relationships as single-directional (one-to-many, from Name to Planning/RM_Film). That’s usually safest.

When both are set to bidirectional, Power BI may struggle to resolve filter propagation, especially when you try to pull data into a single visual that includes columns from all three tables errors like , ambiguous filter paths. Avoid bidirectional joins unless truly needed.

suggest you, make them single-direction from Name → Planning and Name → RM_Film.Use that table for your ERP export visuals/reports — reliable and isolated from model quirks.If needed, use slicers from Name or Fixed tables to make dynamic test versions.

Bidirectional relationships and ambiguity in DAX - SQLBI

Hope this helps.

[Databasic]

This web page gave me the right understanding of relations to troubleshoot. I had to dive into the data and was able to pull out some duplicates to remove the indirect many to many relation. Resolved, thanks a lot 💪