sql query against imported table in semantic model

[djm7]

can I run a sql query against data imported into the semantic model in power bi desktop

[BA_Pete · Accepted solution]

Hi @djm7 ,

The short answer is no, you can't query model data using SQL within Power BI Desktop. PBI models use the tabular structure and are optimised for DAX and MDX queries.

However, depending on your use-case, you may be able leverage Datamarts, but you've not provided enough information to understand whether this is feasible/appropriate or not:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/transform-model/datamarts/datamarts-analyze 

Pete

[rohit1991 · Accepted solution]

No, you cannot run SQL queries directly on imported data in Power BI’s semantic model. Instead:

• Use DAX queries (via DAX Studio or Analyze in Excel) for querying.
• Use SQL in Power Query before importing data.
• In DirectQuery mode, write SQL queries to retrieve data from the source.
• For Pro/Premium, use XMLA endpoints for external querying.

[BA_Pete · Accepted solution]

Hi @djm7 ,

The short answer is no, you can't query model data using SQL within Power BI Desktop. PBI models use the tabular structure and are optimised for DAX and MDX queries.

However, depending on your use-case, you may be able leverage Datamarts, but you've not provided enough information to understand whether this is feasible/appropriate or not:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/transform-model/datamarts/datamarts-analyze 

Pete