Visuals Break with "Error Fetching Data" When Filtering by Date (Import Mode Model)

[Ahmad_1]

Hi everyone,

I’m facing an issue in Power BI where visuals break and display an “Error fetching data for this visual – An unexpected error occurred” message whenever I try to apply a date filter (as shown in the attached screenshot).

Here are the key details:

• The data model is in Import mode.

• The error appears specifically when filtering data on TransactionDate (or any date column).

• The visuals work fine before applying the date filter.

• I’ve already tried refreshing the dataset and rebuilding the visual, but the issue persists.

Has anyone else experienced this issue or found a solution/workaround for it?

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thank you!

[v-kpoloju-msft]

Hi @Ahmad_1,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum. Also, thanks to @BeaBF, for his inputs on this thread.

The error “Error fetching data for this visual an unexpected error occurred” typically appears when the report encounters an issue processing date filters in Import mode.

A few users have reported similar behaviour, especially when using date slicers in “Between” mode. Please try the following steps:

Change the slicer type from Between to Before, After, or Relative date. Recreate the affected visual and test again. Clear the cache (File > Options and settings > Options > Data Load > Clear cache) and restart Power BI Desktop. Test in an earlier or 64-bit version of Power BI Desktop, as some recent builds have shown similar behaviour.

Also, refer those solved links:
1. https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Desktop/An-unexpected-error-occurred-file-quot-line-functi... 
2. https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Issues/Error-fetching-data-for-this-visual-An-unexpected-e... 

Hope this helps. Let us know if you have any doubts regarding this. We will be happy to help.

Thank you for using the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.

[v-kpoloju-msft]

Hi @Ahmad_1,

Just checking in to see if the issue has been resolved on your end. If the earlier suggestions helped, that’s great to hear! And if you’re still facing challenges, feel free to share more details happy to assist further.

Thank you.

[v-kpoloju-msft]

Hi @Ahmad_1,

Just wanted to follow up. If the shared guidance worked for you, that’s wonderful hopefully it also helps others looking for similar answers. If there’s anything else you'd like to explore or clarify, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you.

[Ahmad_1]

Hi @v-kpoloju-msft , 

Thank you for the support. I haven't tried the solution you provided yet. I just want to know one more thing: does it work well with Power BI Report Server?

[v-kpoloju-msft]

Hi @Ahmad_1,

Thank you for the follow-up. The steps we shared earlier were primarily tested for Power BI Desktop / Fabric. While some of the suggestions like changing slicer types or clearing cache can also apply to Power BI Report Server, we haven’t seen official confirmation that the exact fix fully resolves this issue on Report Server builds.

I would recommend testing the steps first in a safe report copy on your Report Server environment. If the issue persists there, we can help investigate further and check if any Report Server-specific considerations are needed.

Hope that clarifies. Let us know if you have any doubts regarding this. We will be happy to help.

Thank you.

[BeaBF]

@Ahmad_1 Hi! Try these tests:

1. Check for Relationship or Model Corruption

Sometimes a corrupted relationship or inactive date relationship causes visuals to break when date filters are applied.

Try this:

• Open Model view and check if your TransactionDate column is properly related to your Date table (if one exists).

• Temporarily remove the relationship and re-add it.

• If you’re using multiple date columns, ensure only one active relationship exists between tables.

---

2. Validate Data Type and Format

If TransactionDate isn’t consistently recognized as a Date/Time type (for example, text or mixed types), Power BI’s internal engine can fail on filtering.

Check:

• In Power Query → Confirm TransactionDate is set to Date (not Text or Date/Time).

• Ensure there are no null or invalid date values after type conversion.

---

3. Test the Filter in Data View

Try applying the same filter in Data view (not Report view) to see if it triggers an error.
If it does, the problem is in the data itself (e.g., invalid date conversions or blank values).

BBF

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[Ahmad_1]

Hi @BeaBF,

Thanks for your prompt response.
I've tried all the suggestions you provided earlier, but it still doesn't work.

• All my relationships are active.

• The TransactionDate column is in Date format.

• I don’t have a dedicated Date table.

[BeaBF]

@Ahmad_1 the issue occurs only when filtering by date, the missing dedicated Date table is now the most likely root cause.

Try these steps:

• Create a Date Table (DAX):
  In Modeling → New Table, paste this:

  DateTable = ADDCOLUMNS ( CALENDAR (DATE(2015,1,1), DATE(2030,12,31)), "Year", YEAR([Date]), "Month", FORMAT([Date], "MMM"), "MonthNumber", MONTH([Date]), "Quarter", "Q" & FORMAT([Date], "0#") )

• Mark it as a Date Table:

  • Select DateTable in the Fields pane.

  • Go to Table tools → Mark as Date Table → Choose the Date column.

• Create a Relationship:

  • Connect DateTable[Date] → YourTable[TransactionDate] (single direction, active).

• Use the DateTable in Visuals:

  • Replace TransactionDate from your fact table with DateTable[Date] (or its hierarchy) in visuals and filters.

BBF

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[Ahmad_1]

@BeaBF, I have tried the suggested solution, but it does not work.

[BeaBF]

@Ahmad_1 Hi! Can you share your pbix file? or try to explain how to reproduce the error?

BBF

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