One data model for multiple workbooks

[bvanderwatt]

Good Day 

I am wondering if it's possible to have one data model and have multiple Excel workbooks & power BI reports reading to this data model. 

Currently if I make one change in my data model then I have to repeat the change in each data model in all my workbooks & Power BI reports.  Which is extremely time consuming and frustrating. 

I cannot seem to find anything on the internet and was hoping there's a genius on this platform who can help me. 🙂 

[coskuersanli]

Unfortunately, it's not possible to add tables when you are using Power BI Datasets and you need to build your data model in Power BI Desktop,

[coskuersanli]

Hi @bvanderwatt 

You can use your model once you published it in different reports 🙂

[bvanderwatt]

Thank you so much for getting back to me. Would I be able to also link my Excel documents to this dataset? Do I need to build the data model in Excel or PowerBi?

[Anonymous]

Hi @bvanderwatt ,

Normally, the connection mode you connect to Power BI Dataset is Live connection. We couldn't add data models from other data source like Excel into Live connection mode report. Now Power BI support us to use DirectQuery for Power BI Datasets and Azure Analysis Services. It is a preview option. 

For reference: Using DirectQuery for Power BI datasets and Azure Analysis Services (preview)

After you convert to DirectQuery, you can add other data models into your Power BI Report.

Best Regards,
Rico Zhou

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

[bvanderwatt]

Thank you very much. I use one data model for all my Excel workbooks and PowerBI reports. When I make one change, I have to go make that change in each workbook and data model. I was wondering if it wasn't possible to have one data model and just to make the change in the one data model which will then filter through all other excel workbooks and PowerBi reports. But I don't think that's possible?