Powerbi Desktop stuck 'evaluating'

bhalicki - you could use this technique to see if it'll speed up the evaluate stage: https://blog.crossjoin.co.uk/2020/05/14/speed-up-data-refresh-performance-in-power-bi-desktop-using-table-view/

Otherwise if this doesnt work, I'd suggest moving these stages to a Dataflow on the server, they are specifically designed to chain these sorts of actions. 

If I answered your question please mark my post as the solution, it helps others with the same challenge find the answer!

Hi all,

Thanks for your input, much appreciated.

I ended up using a comination of buffering (with buffermode set to delayed), and limiting the number of rows ingested.  I used a parameter to initially set the number of rows ingested to 10, then once published to the service, set the parameter to -1 so that all rows are ingested.  Not sure if it's the correct solution, but removed the 'evaluating' step and significantly decreased the model refresh time in PowerBi Desktop.

Buffer = if EnableBuffering = 1 then Table.Buffer(#"Removed Other Columns", [BufferMode = BufferMode.Delayed]) else #"Removed Other Columns",
#"Limit Rows" = if MaxRows = -1 then Buffer else Table.FirstN(Buffer, MaxRows),