Unable to create any measure in Power BI desktop with a direct connection

[AnnaHansen2022]

Hi, 

I am trying to create a measure in Power BI desktop men I dont get the option - the calculation fields are grayed-out. 

It is properbly something to do with the connection is on a cube, but i belive it should be possible as i have seen before it has been enabled on a live cube connection. 

Can you help me figure out if I just need to enable the function somewhere or if the setup needs to be different. 

[BhavinVyas3003 · Accepted solution]

Your New measure is grayed out because you're connected to a multidimensional cube (like SSAS or SAP BW in live mode), which doesn't support DAX measures in Power BI.

Use a tabular model or enable a composite model:

1. Go to File > Options > Preview features
2. Enable "DirectQuery for Power BI datasets and Analysis Services"
3. Restart Power BI
4. Click "Make changes to this model" to allow creating measures.

[v-kpoloju-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @AnnaHansen2022,
Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft fabric community forum. Also @BhavinVyas3003, for his inputs on this thread. I have identified few workarounds that may help resolve the issue.

You are correct. The issue arises from using a live connection to an Analysis Services model. In this mode, Power BI Desktop disables all modelling features, including the creation of new measures, calculated columns, or quick measures. This is a documented limitation by Microsoft.

If connected to a Tabular Model, you can use Direct Query for Analysis Services through Composite Models, allowing limited modelling in Power BI:

• Navigate to File > Options and settings > Options > Direct Query.
• Enable “Direct Query for Power BI datasets and Analysis Services”.
• Reconnect to your Tabular model.
• You will then be able to create local measures and utilize other modelling features alongside your live data.

If you're connected to a Tabular model, you may be able to use Direct Query with composite models, which allows creating local measures:

• Use composite models in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

Note: This is supported only with SQL Server Analysis Services Tabular 2019 or newer, or Azure Analysis Services.

If connected to a Multidimensional Cube: Power BI does not support composite models or local modelling in live connections to Multidimensional cubes.

In this scenario, you have the following options:

• Request your data modelling team to create the necessary measures within the cube model itself.
• Alternatively, switch to import mode to enable full modelling capabilities in Power BI Desktop.

Microsoft Documentation on Limitations:

• Connect to Analysis Services data in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

• Connect to semantic models in Power BI - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

If it is a Multidimensional cube, Power BI does not support any modelling additions. You will need to request changes in the source model or switch to an import connection.

If this post helps, then please give us ‘Kudos’ and consider Accept it as a solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

Thank you for using Microsoft Community Forum.

[v-kpoloju-msft]

Hi @AnnaHansen2022,

May I ask if you have resolved this issue? If so, please mark the helpful reply and accept it as the solution. This will be helpful for other community members who have similar problems to solve it faster.

Thank you.

[AnnaHansen2022]

Yes, thank you the issue is resovled. We have an direct connection but with a OLAP cube and therefore it will not be possible to use measures unfortuently. 

[v-kpoloju-msft]

Hi @AnnaHansen2022,

Thank you for the update, and I’m glad to hear the original issue is resolved. You are correct, when using a Direct Query connection to an OLAP cube, such as SSAS Multidimensional, Power BI has limited functionality, including restrictions on creating new measures or calculated columns within the Power BI model itself. This limitation arises from how metadata and calculations are managed on the cube side.

For custom calculations, these typically need to be defined within the cube itself, such as calculated members or script commands in MDX. It would be advisable to collaborate with your cube administrator or developer to implement these calculations directly in the OLAP model.

If this post helps, then please give us ‘Kudos’ and consider Accept it as a solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

Thank you for using the Microsoft Community Forum.

[BhavinVyas3003 · Accepted solution]

Your New measure is grayed out because you're connected to a multidimensional cube (like SSAS or SAP BW in live mode), which doesn't support DAX measures in Power BI.

Use a tabular model or enable a composite model:

1. Go to File > Options > Preview features
2. Enable "DirectQuery for Power BI datasets and Analysis Services"
3. Restart Power BI
4. Click "Make changes to this model" to allow creating measures.