Forum Discussion

yuvalf's avatar
yuvalf
Frequent Visitor
5 years ago

Share a function between dataflows

I have created a function in dataflow. Can this function be called from other dataflows ? I have set of generic functions that seems to be useful in multiple dataflows. I don't want to copy each tim...
Need Help
Anonymous's avatar
Anonymous
Not applicable
5 years ago

HI yuvalf,

If these operations are in the same dataflow, you can try to create a custom function in your dataflow to package the rest API of these calculations and return results.

Then you can invoke this custom function in other entities.

Using Custom Functions in Power BI Dataflows 
If you mean invoke cross dataflow, perhaps you can take a look at computed/linked entities if they suitable for your requirement. (I'm not so sure if custom functions can be used as linked entities)

Premium features of dataflows 
Regards,

Xiaoxin Sheng

yuvalf's avatar
yuvalf
Frequent Visitor
5 years ago

Sheng, I know that you can define a custom function in the dataflow - This is not the issue.

What I am looking for is after you create such function in one dataflow how you can "call" it from different dataflow (and not by coping the custom function from one dataflow to the second one).

Looking for a "1 truth of code" that can be shred among multiple dataflows.

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    Not applicable
    5 years ago

    Hi yuvalf,

    If you mean to create a standalone function in dataflow that can be directly invoked across different dataflows.
    Current power bi dataflows do not support this, perhaps you can submit an idea with this requirement.
    BTW, I think lbendlin 's suggestion should be a choice to indirectly achieve your retirement. You can package your functions externally then you can create new dataflow query tables to invoke these functions.

    Regads,

    Xiaoxin Sheng

    • yuvalf's avatar
      yuvalf
      Frequent Visitor
      5 years ago

      Thanks,

      What do you mean "You can package your functions externally" ?

       

      • Anonymous's avatar
        Anonymous
        Not applicable
        5 years ago

        Hi yuvalf,

        These operations were similar to design APIs and deploy them on the web. 

        Then you can use a web connector to invoke the API instead of copy specific processing codes into your dataflow every time you used it. (it can be a workaround to use functions across dataflows but they not suitable for your requirements)

        Regards,

        Xiaoxin Sheng