Why are measure names linked to tables in Power BI desktop visuals?

[mbbozzuto]

When I pull a measure into a visual component in a Power BI report, the measure is referenced as 'Table'[Measure Name].  However, if I replace that measure by deleting it and creating a separate measure with the same name but different table, like 'Table New'[Measure Name], the visual will still error because it is looking for that measure on a specific table.

This doesn't make sense because DAX only requires a measure name to be used in other measures, like [Measure Name], and does not require a reference to the table as well in order for the measure to be used.

We use Tabular Editor to update our models and push in updates to our Power BI dataset via XMLA end point.  This limitation on how measures are referenced in Power BI desktop visuals prevents us from implemeting code changes to re-organize measures onto new tables without breaking downstream reports.

Is there a different/better way to do this?  Or is this a change that should be implemented in Power BI desktop to remove the table reference when using measures in visuals?

[Greg_Deckler · Accepted solution]

@mbbozzuto It's something that they would have to do in Desktop (Microsoft). A common method to combat this is to put all measures in a single table (often a blank table) and use display folders to organize them.