When to move pbi to SSAS

[Antmkjr]

I am trying to migrate my pbix to SSAS as the size of the file is rapidly increasing,

However I have around 200+ tables in my pbix, and few of them require changes once in a while, and the end users being business, are comfortable if it is excel,

So is it possible to create model in SSAS with excel connections and SQL connections? The SSAS version available is 2017.

oe else what is the best way to deal this increasing file size?

[DataInsights]

@Antmkjr,

One option is to create dataflows in Power BI Service (a dataflow is essentially Power Query online). Then, you can connect the pbix to the dataflows using DirectQuery. See link below:

https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/power-bi-june-2021-feature-summary/#post-16112-_Toc74044961 

[Antmkjr]

Will dataflows help to reduce file size?

What I thought was it might help in terms of refresh time, but the file size will have any effect?

[DataInsights]

@Antmkjr,

Using DirectQuery with any data source (including dataflows) will reduce the pbix file size, since the data will not be stored in the pbix.

[Antmkjr]

Ok, is it necessary to create dataflows in premium because in normal workspace, it is taking long time

[DataInsights]

@Antmkjr,

According to the link below, you will need Premium.

https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/ 

[Antmkjr]

Thanks, I was trying to do as you suggested, but came to know we need to enable "Enhanced compute engine" option for 1) dataflow 2)workspace, then only i will be able to use Direct Query option in desktop.