Composite models when connected to AS models (PBI datasets and Azure Analysis Services)

[sander_allert1]

We really love the new feature of 'Composite Models' in the Power BI July 2018 update! This enables us to join custom lists with DirectQuery sources. It would also be beneficial if this would also work when connected to SSAS Tabular in DirectQuery. This would stronlgy improve the enterprise features of Power BI.

[adam_tiar]

This is really THE thing that our business needs! I'm working on the implementation of Power BI in our company and it's just not convenient to have an intermediate SQL database.

[jbrown81]

Cannot upvote this enough. This is a huge gap right now that needs to have first priority from a dev perspective. There is no way to have governance over measure calculations for measures that have very well defined change control. If I'm using PowerBI to do financial reporting, I need to be able to control how measures are calculated, and the best way to do this is to have a published semantic model hosted either in Analysis Services or in something like SAP HANA.

[beneuto1]

With 20 years experience working with tools having semantic layers like Cognos and Business Objects, I would say that semantic layers are often more trouble than they are worth (except for well designed OLAP models). For example, whilst it may seem great to be able to join data from completely separate databases it can lead to serious performance issues as usually full tables from both databases have to be downloaded to the (usually underpowered) report server. This is all hidden from the user who has no idea why the reports run so slowly. Therefore I would hope for something smarter. Something like the ability for power users to build multidimensional models which are then pushed down to SSAS Tabular which then hopefully could be partially populated on-demand (instead of requiring a full refresh) essentially caching it for subsequent users. Loads for frequently used Tabular models could then be streamlined, consolidated and formalised by IT on a continuous improvement basis.

[jd7]

It would be great to use excel in direct query mode!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SSI1]

I need LOOKUPVALUE to work with Direct Query mode to implement access rights

[mattminor]

Agree with everyone here - we must combine multiple connections to get live and historical data into PBI.

[fbcideas_migusr]

Although this hasn't been a huge ask from most of my customers, I can definitely see this coming up more in the future. As many of our customers adopt the self-service BI model for their organizations, I can visualize this becoming more and more of an ask in the future as the volume of data continues to increase.

[abc6]

Direct Query support with the ability to blend this source (summarized by source system) is crucial for its adoption as an Enterprise - Self Service Reporting and Dash boarding tool. Microsoft Power BI Team, request you to consider this as soon as possible.

[DamienK]

This limitation also impact me. A simple addition is not possible. Moreover I think it is something that can easily be added to a futur Power BI version.

[lav_spb]

When dealing with large data sets this is a huge requirement. Awesome!!!