Forum Discussion
Semantic Model
Hello !
Try to connect to the PBI semantic model viaSSMS using the XMLA endpoint to manage, query, or script the model. You can copy the workspace connection string from PBI workspace settings.
Hi Ania26,
Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Fabric Community happy to help.
What you are describing is a very common and valid requirement. Let me explain exactly what is happening and the right approach to solve it.
Why You See "Table cannot be shown because it is not in import mode"
Your semantic model is connected to a source using DirectQuery or Live Connection mode in these modes, data is not physically imported into Power BI, so the Table View cannot display rows. This is expected behaviour, not an error.
How to Reuse Your Semantic Model Across Multiple Reports
Option 1 Connect to your existing Semantic Model (Recommended)
This is the correct way to reuse tables and measures without recreating them:
- In Power BI Desktop → Home → Get Data → Power BI Semantic Models
- Select your existing semantic model
- This gives you a Live Connection to it all your existing tables and measures are available instantly in every new report
To add new measures on top of the shared model in each report:
- Go to Modeling tab → New Measure
- These report-level measures live in that report only and do not affect the original model
How to Edit the Original Model (Add Tables, Columns, Measures)
To edit the source semantic model itself add new tables, columns, or measures that apply everywhere:
- Open the original .pbix file in Power BI Desktop
- Add your new tables, columns, or calculated columns there
- Add shared measures in the model
- Republish to the service all reports connected to it will automatically see the changes
How to See Table Data (Fix the Table View issue)
The Table View restriction is because of DirectQuery/Live mode. To see actual row data:
- Switch the table to Import mode in Power BI Desktop → Transform Data → change the storage mode of that specific table to Import
- This allows Table View to show data rows
- Note: if your model uses DirectQuery for a reason (real-time data, large volume), keep it as-is and just use the Report View to verify data through visuals instead
Summary
| Reuse model in other reports | Get Data → Power BI Semantic Models → connect |
| Add measures per report | Modeling → New Measure in each report |
| Add shared measures/columns for all reports | Edit original .pbix → republish |
| See table data in Table View | Switch storage mode to Import for that table |
This approach means you never have to recreate measures build them once in the source model and connect every report to it.
Hope this helps!
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