Schema changes in direct query mode doesnt appear

[D_Lav]

Hi!

Background

We have a semantic model which fetches data from an SSAS tabular server and we pressed "Make changes to this model" to be able to build a composite model. 

Issue

We have on SSAS side done some changes to columns were we hide a few. In both Power BI desktop and service after this (now in direct query mode and not live connection since above change)  these schema changes doesnt appear when refresh. 

What we have tried In Power Bi Desktop

1. Clear cache - didnt work

2. hit refresh and collapsed/ expanded data pane - didnt work

3. Create a new Power BI desktop file and "Get Data" from analysis services which makes storage mode "Live connection" and didnt push "Make changes to this model" - The schema changes are showing, Works.

According to this artical it clearly says for Direct Query mode. 

• You must refresh in Power BI Desktop to reflect schema changes. After a report is published, Refresh in the Power BI service refreshes the visuals in the report. But if the underlying source schema changes, the Power BI service doesn't automatically update the available fields list. If tables or columns are removed from the underlying source, it might result in query failure upon refresh. To update the fields in the model to reflect the changes, you must open the report in Power BI Desktop and choose Refresh. WE tried this in step 2 above.

Anyone having any ideas what could cause this to happen? Published from older PBI desktop versions perhaps?

[D_Lav]

Hi! did you manage to recreate the issue @Anonymous ? 🙂

[Anonymous]

Hi @D_Lav 

Sorry for the late reply. I cannot reproduce the same issue. I tested it with Power BI Desktop 2.126.1261.0 64-bit (February 2024). I haven't tested it with the old versions so I'm not sure whether the behavior would be different. 

When I open the report which connects to a SSAS tabular model in DirectQuery mode, the hidden columns display there. But once I hit the Refresh button, the hidden columns disapper immediately in Data pane in the Report view. Of cource they still display in the Model view, which I think is expected. 

In addition, in DirectQuery mode, you can still change the hide/unhide status for columns in Model view. It is also applied to columns which have been hidden in the tabular model at the data source side. 

While in Live connection mode, the hidden columns also display in the Model view. But their hide/unhide status cannot be modified in this mode. 

You may try an old version or the latest version to check whether the behavior changes. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions. 

Best Regards,
Jing
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[D_Lav]

Hi @Anonymous 

Yes, this is the article https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/desktop-directquery-about

What we have done is that we have hidden 5 columns in a customer dimension so nothing fancy. 

[Anonymous]

Hi @D_Lav 

May I know which article are you referring to that contains the schema change behavior? Can you share the link of it?

In addition, which types of changes did you made to the columns of the SSAS tabular model? I'd like to do some test at my side to check if I can reproduce the same issue. Thank you. 

Best Regards,
Jing