Confusion about the REST API Post Import In Group - What do we mean by importing a model.json?

[Anonymous]

Hello everybody,

I am reading through the REST API documentation of 'Post import in Group' which in simpler terms (as per my understanding) allows us to upload a PBIX to a workspace.

The name of the report as it appears online and the id of the workspace are specified via parameters in the URL while the binary content is specified in the body of the request.

The Microsoft documentation goes a step forward and states that this REST API end point can also be used for importing a model.json file.

Please help me understand. 

Does the model.json refer to the underlying DataModel file which can be extracted out of the PBIX by renaming to ZIP?

I was under the impression that the DataModel file - even though viewable by extracting from PBIX is essentially not to be tampered with or relied upon. It should be considered an internal file only.

Thank you,

Sau

[V-lianl-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous ,

Power BI dataflows store data in the CDM folder format in Azure storage.CDM folders use text files to store data, and a model.json file to store metadata.

This API refers to model.json in the dataflow, not model.json in pbix.

Best Regards,
Liang
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