Issue with composite model permissions

[Mitchelll92]

We have a central dataset and we would like to build a composite model where only a subset of the data from this dataset is used. We want some of our users to be able to build on this composite model, but not on the central dataset. We use Pro workspaces for this set-up.

According to the blog posted below, this should be possible by assigning 'read' permissions to the central dataset and 'read + build' permissions to the composite model. However, when a user with these permissions tries to build a report in PBI Desktop or Service, they receive an error like 'no permission to central dataset'.

Announcing general availability for composite models on Power BI Datasets and Analysis Services mode...

Abstract example to explain our situation a bit more clearly:

Workspace A: Dataset A with tables T and S

Workspace B: Dataset B with a DirectQuery connection to Dataset A where only table T is selected + static table added.

Workspace C: Report C with live connection to dataset B

User U using report C has the following permissions:

- admin permissions on workspace C

- no permissions to workspace A and B

- Read+Build permissions on dataset B

- Read permissions on dataset A

Problem: Only working stable if user U also gets build permission on dataset A. With only read permissions on dataset A, user U gets errors on visuals using content from dataset A.

[Anonymous]

Hi  @Mitchelll92 ,

If you are currently using Pro workspaces and want to switch over to the Read permission model right away, you can. However, it requires you to create new workspaces and host the datasets and reports there. As a reminder, going forward you will need to enable the ‘Allow XMLA endpoints and Analyze in Excel with on-premises datasets’ setting enabled in your tenant to use this feature.

Please check if you have enabled it.

Best regards.
Community Support Team_Caitlyn

[Mitchelll92]

Hi Caitlyn,

The settings you mention have already been applied. We have also tried creating new workspaces for the case mentioned above, but we still have the same issue:

[Anonymous]

Hi @Mitchelll92 ,

According to the blog post you mentioned, composite models based on Power BI datasets and Analysis Services Tabular models are now generally available and fully supported on Premium, PPU and new Pro workspaces. However, for most existing Pro workspaces, Build permissions are still required for the consumers of the reports that use composite models. This might explain why you are getting the error message ‘no permission to central dataset’.

One possible solution is to create new workspaces and host the datasets and reports there. This way, you can switch over to the Read permission model right away. Another possible solution is to wait until the backend changes are completed for the existing Pro workspaces, which will allow consumers to view the reports with just Read permissions. You can check the status of these changes by following the Power BI blog or the Power BI support page.

I hope this clarifies your issue and helps you find a way to use composite models effectively. 

Best regards.
Community Support Team_Caitlyn