convert SSAS tabular to Power Bi data model

[fuglphoenix]

I hope somebody can help me with this

my goal is to create a composit model with:

• a datawarehouse (on an SQL server) using import
• an SQL-server with live data using direct query

currently we have a datawarehouse with a SSAS tabular model. the problem is that it doesn't support composit models. 

as far as i know the only option is to create the data model in pbi, which supports composit models. I've would really like not to start from scratch, since our model is rather big. 

so far i've tried:

• created a PBI embedded instance and deployed our tabular model there. I hoped i could then download the pbix and further develope the model in pbi desktop. but that returns an error. I think that is because, although they look the same, the pbixmodel schema and SSAStabular schema is incompatible.
• convert my current tabular model to direct query. but that is not feasible because of the extra load on the dwh, and the restrictions on the DAX forumla you can use.

is there any way to convert the .bim to a .pbix other than manual labour?

or is there another way I could accomplish my goal?

[v-lionel-msft]

Hi @fuglphoenix ,

Power BI has three connection methods.

Only Import and Direct Query support composite models.

In other words, if you use Live Connection mode to connect to SSAS, you cannot use the composite model.

(Direct Query mode is different from Live Connection mode, SSAS can only use Live Connection.)

Use composite models in Power BI Desktop 

So for your problem, if you want to use composite models unless you import the model.

Best regards,
Lionel Chen

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[fuglphoenix]

@v-lionel-msft 

yes, i'm aware of that, that is why i'm trying to abandon our old SSAS model and create a new datamodel (directly in pbi) with an import-connection to our dwh (an sql-server) and an direct query-connection to the live feed. 

but the ssas model is rather big, and i would love to avoid having to create alle the measures and dependencies again. 

sorry if my question wasn't clear.