Enterprise Gateway unable to update schema when deploying SSAS Tabular model

[gregboers]

When deploying an updated SSAS Tabular model, the schema on the PowerBI site / Gateway remains the same and never receives the update.

Using Power BI desktop to connect to the SSAS model directly confirms that the deployment is successful and all new columns are appearing.

Using Power BI web we are able to confirm that the data connection is live as new data is able to appear which is only present in the new model.

Erasing the model from the SQL Server and uninstalling the gateway and removing all datasets from PowerBI, then redeploying the SSAS model, re-installing a new Gateway and adding the datasets again continued to result in the old schema appearing.

The only way we have managed to get a model deployed is to rename the underlying SSAS database and deploying that. However we still have the issue of not being able to deploy any further changes.

Previously updates were able to happen, however once a model stops receiving an update, it seems to never update again.

Building in Desktop then deploying to web doesn't help as it just uses the dataset that's on the gateway so any fields that are new or renamed cause the report to break.

[v-qiuyu-msft]

Hi @gregboers,

I have tested on my side, if I rename a column in a SSAS tabular project and redeploy it, the new column name will also reflect when we access the report on Power BI service. Please try to update the on-premise data gateway to the latest version then test again. 

Also you can use Get Data -> Database -> SQL Server Analysis Service to connect to the tabular data source to see if new schema display. 

Best Regards,
Qiuyun Yu 

[gregboers]

Hi @v-qiuyu-msft,

Thanks for the reply - the gateway is a new install from a fresh download - the installation of the environment (SQL Server, SSAS, Gateway) is all under 1 month old.

The 'Get data -> Database -> SQL Server AS' reccomendation sounds more like the Desktop tool, which I have already indicated is working fine. The issue is the PowerBI web service (app.powerbi.com) showing the outdated model.

In the case of today, while no deployments showed up during teh day, coming in in the morning had a deployment from around 5pm arrive. None of todays deployments have gone through to the service either. Perhaps it will be there tomorrow.

[v-qiuyu-msft]

Hi @gregboers,

As we already created a SSAS tabular data source in Manage Gateways, we can use  Get Data -> Database -> SQL Server Analysis Service to get data on Power BI service. See:  Get Data -> Database -> SQL Server Analysis Service

You mean the new schema comes to Power BI service but there is a delay, right? Please click on Refresh Now next to the dataset to refresh data then view the report again. 

Best Regards,
Qiuyun Yu

[gregboers]

Hi @v-qiuyu-msft,

Thanks again for your reply. The previous model we had would not ever update, even after a few days. The current model just happened to uodate overnight. Unfortunately your suggestion won’t help either in this case.

Refresh always fails - there is no error message, show more just shows a blank line. The PowerBI web is able to query the data live - data updates appear on the web portal immediately, however it is the schema updates that are the issue.

I would imagine that the failed refresh may be related to the failure to obtain the updated metadata.

[v-qiuyu-msft]

Hi @gregboers,

I would suggest you create a support ticket to get dedicated support from Microsoft. 

Best Regards,
Qiuyun Yu