Forum Discussion
Data categories on semantic models
Thank you again for trying to help. As I mentioned in another comment: "Another thing I noticed, I can't use conditional formatting when connected using direct access to a semantic model. I wonder if it is a bug or a limitation."
I ended up changing my strategy. I am no longer using dataflows and just using a semantic model connected to a mirrored database. Dataflows were not worth the effort in our case, and the loss of flexibility.
Hi rafasiqueira,
Since you're using direct access to the semantic model, and data categories like web URL cannot be set in this mode because data formatting and metadata adjustments are restricted in DirectQuery mode. As you're looking for an alternative solution either in the dataflow or the semantic model you can add a calculated column in the Semantic Model. While you can't set the data category directly, you can create a calculated column that formats the data as a URL-like string.
If I misunderstand your needs or you still have problems on it, please feel free to let us know.
Best Regards,
Hammad.
Community Support Team
If this post helps then please mark it as a solution, so that other members find it more quickly.
Thank you.
Thank you Hammad, but that doesn't solve it either. The problem is that PowerBI doesn't not recognize it as a URL and won't replace the column by the URL link on table visuals.
Hi rafasiqueira,
Thanks for your response.
I understand that Power BI is not recognizing the column as a URL in table visuals as DirectQuery does not allow setting the Data Category in the semantic model.
You can try these work arounds and see if this solves your issue:
* You can use Conditional Formatting
* Or you can pre-format the URL in the Dataflow. If the column does not contain full
URLs, Power BI may not recognize them.
* If modifying the dataflow is not an option, try creating a calculated column inside the
semantic model.
Even though the Data Category cannot be explicitly set in DirectQuery, Power BI sometimes detects links if they are formatted correctly.
If I misunderstand your needs or you still have problems on it, please feel free to let us know.
Best Regards,
Hammad.
Community Support TeamIf this post helps then please mark it as a solution, so that other members find it more quickly.
Thank you.
Thank you again for trying to help. As I mentioned in another comment: "Another thing I noticed, I can't use conditional formatting when connected using direct access to a semantic model. I wonder if it is a bug or a limitation."
I ended up changing my strategy. I am no longer using dataflows and just using a semantic model connected to a mirrored database. Dataflows were not worth the effort in our case, and the loss of flexibility.