Connect To Multiple PowerBi Online Workspace Datasets in one Desktop Report?

[UserIsGod]

Hi there, 
I am trying to connect multiple PBI online datasets to my one desktop report. 

However, when I go to Get Data> Power BI Datasets, I am only allowed to use one and if I try to add more, I get this message. 

Do I have to enable something to get multiple? Or is there a workaround?

Thanks! 

[d_gosbell]

A report can only be linked to a single Power BI model. But you can create a Power BI composite model that references 2 other Power BI models. You just have to click the "create local model" in that dialog box in your screenshot. Note that you need to try to avoid creating high cardinality joins in such composite models as they have a negative affect on performance.

[UserIsGod]

Yeah I just realized you have to click make updates to this model and then you can add other models. So these models update when the data updates in other reports online right, as in if I make changes to the model, I want them reflected on this comprehensive report that takes models from all reports. What happens when I publish this online, do I have to reenter credentials for each for scheduled refresh or will it update cause other reports are updated. 

[d_gosbell]

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@UserIsGod wrote:

What happens when I publish this online, do I have to reenter credentials for each for scheduled refresh or will it update cause other reports are updated. 

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No, the local model just has pointers to the other models. It just sends queries to the other 2 models so you don't need to schedule separate refreshes. Once the underlying models have been refreshed the composite one will start returning the refreshed data automatically.