Any tool available to globally analyse the M for an entire dataflow

[RichHead1821]

Without having to open each query in turn (I am tasked with finding out which of the input fields are actually used in Power BI - i.e. which get past the dataflow into the dataset and then is it used in a visual or a measure)

[RichHead1821]

Whilst I didn't get a solution, I've marked it as such to stop the 'nagging emails' 🙂

[KNP]

You could try this one from RADACAD...

https://powerbihelper.org

[RichHead1821]

Thanks @BA_Pete - tried that and the cleaner tool fails (column report file(s) not found) - so not a solution for me 😞

[BA_Pete]

That's a shame. Did you match up the DAX Studio and Cleaner versions correctly?

I use Cleaner v10 and DAX Studio 2.15.0 and it works fine. You can pick up older DS versions on their download page and I can put Cleaner v10 on here if you're interested to give it a shot?

I don't know of any other way to do what you want I'm afraid.

Pete

[RichHead1821]

@BA_Pete I can't find anything below v11 on the BI accountant...

@KNP I tried this, but need Premium Per User to be able to use (connect to endpoint) - waiting on my IT guys to sort that

😞

[BA_Pete]

Hi @RichHead1821 ,

Cleaner v10 attached below.

Pete

[KNP]

@RichHead1821 - I was under the impression that you can connect directly to the PBIX file if you have it open. (I haven't used it for a while)

Thus avoiding the need for PPU. But if you can use this to get a PPU license then I'd say that's a win. 😁

[RichHead1821]

Maybe I am misunderstanding the tool, my PBIX files are (in most cases) live connections to datasets, in turn fed from a dataflow, I didn't see any way of seeing the dataflow's power queries when connected to a PBIX file.

I feel like I need to do some reading, but the project timeline won't allow me to pause

[KNP]

Yes that does complicate things some. I'll try and have a look tomorrow if I have time. 

I use the same architecture as you're describing.

[BA_Pete]

@RichHead1821 ,

I don't think the live connection thing should matter (although I could easily be wrong) as both tools work on either an open or loaded data model. Neither, I believe, go as far as to interrogate sources, just what's available/loaded in the front-end model.

Pete

[RichHead1821]

I'm not sure, I'll try again tomorrow, at the moment I am manually trawling through it all

[BA_Pete · Accepted solution]

Hi @RichHead1821 ,

Get yourself a copy of DAX Studio from here:

https://daxstudio.org/ 

Then get a copy of @ImkeF 's brilliant cleaning tool and all the details on how to use it here:

https://www.thebiccountant.com/2020/01/01/tidy-up-power-bi-models-with-the-power-bi-cleaner-tool/ 

I use this all the time and it does exactly what you need it to do, plus a whole lot more!

Pete