Forum Discussion

jaryszek's avatar
jaryszek
Super User
10 months ago
Solved

How do you handle semantic model name changes and schema differences during merges?

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice on the best developer approach when working with multiple semantic models in Power BI. In our setup, we have a develop semantic model and feature branch ...
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  • v-veshwara-msft's avatar
    v-veshwara-msft
    9 months ago

    Thanks for the clarification, Jacek.

    When the semantic model is remote and not connected through Git, renaming via REST API isn’t supported in a way that keeps the same object ID. If a model is renamed or replaced, reports will treat it as a new object, so maintaining continuity depends on using a consistent naming convention and connection process. The usual approach is to keep a consistent model naming pattern for each environment or branch (for example, develop, feature_477, staging) and reconnect reports only after the structure has been checked for compatibility.

     

    For migrating schema or measure definitions between models, tools like ALM Toolkit and Tabular Editor are the standard approach. They allow comparing two semantic models and deploying structural changes such as measures, relationships, or calculated columns without rebuilding the model.

    You can check the following for reference:
    Solved: Comparing two Semantic Models - Microsoft Fabric Community

    Solved: Rename Semantic Model? - Microsoft Fabric Community
    External Tools in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

     

    This approach helps maintain version continuity for remote models where Git integration isn’t applicable.

     

    Thanks KevinChant  for sharing your inputs.

     

    Hope this helps. Please reach out for further assistance.

    Thank you.

jaryszek's avatar
jaryszek
Super User
10 months ago

Thanks but this is not about it. 

Semantic model is remote one so it means that it will be not saved to disc using git. 

I need to use rest apis to renames semantic model or make a manual changes to connect to different sematnic model. 

Again, 
How to solve it using naming convention ? 
If i have new semantic model created for branch and on develop i have develop, how to maintain continuity?

Best Wishes,
Jacek

v-veshwara-msft's avatar
v-veshwara-msft
Community Support
9 months ago

Thanks for the clarification, Jacek.

When the semantic model is remote and not connected through Git, renaming via REST API isn’t supported in a way that keeps the same object ID. If a model is renamed or replaced, reports will treat it as a new object, so maintaining continuity depends on using a consistent naming convention and connection process. The usual approach is to keep a consistent model naming pattern for each environment or branch (for example, develop, feature_477, staging) and reconnect reports only after the structure has been checked for compatibility.

 

For migrating schema or measure definitions between models, tools like ALM Toolkit and Tabular Editor are the standard approach. They allow comparing two semantic models and deploying structural changes such as measures, relationships, or calculated columns without rebuilding the model.

You can check the following for reference:
Solved: Comparing two Semantic Models - Microsoft Fabric Community

Solved: Rename Semantic Model? - Microsoft Fabric Community
External Tools in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

 

This approach helps maintain version continuity for remote models where Git integration isn’t applicable.

 

Thanks KevinChant  for sharing your inputs.

 

Hope this helps. Please reach out for further assistance.

Thank you.