Data categories on semantic models

[rafasiqueira]

We have a dataflow that loads data to lakehouse. We have a semantic model. Reports are connected directly to the semantic model with direct access. We want to set the data category of a column to URL, to show it on reports using the URL icon. Can we do that either on the dataflow or the semantic model, without having to create a different model for the reports?

[Anonymous]

Hi @rafasiqueira,

Thanks for reaching out to the Microsoft fabric community forum.

First of all while trying to understand your query, it looks like you want to change data category or data format of columns while using dataflow or semantic model. 

You cannot set the data category directly in the dataflow because they are used to transform and load data but you can set data formats according to your need in Semantic Model as mentioned earlier by @collinq.

If you have some other queries then please ask while providing some more details.

I would also take a moment to personally thank @collinq, for actively participating in the community forum and for the solutions you’ve been sharing in the community forum. Your contributions make a real difference.

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.

[rafasiqueira]

Setting data formats in the Semantic Model cannot be done while using direct access. At least that is what it seems. That is why in my original question I asked "Can we do that either on the dataflow or the semantic model, without having to create a different model for the reports?"

[Anonymous]

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.

[rafasiqueira]

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.

[Anonymous]

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 Team

If this post helps then please mark it as a solution, so that other members find it more quickly.

Thank you.

[rafasiqueira · Accepted solution]

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.

[rafasiqueira]

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.

[collinq]

Hi @rafasiqueira ,

I am not 100% sure the question....but, yes, you can set a column to a URL in the dataflow www.yahoo.com" but you cannot "mark it" as datatype called "URL".  That can only be done in Desktop and Service directly in the formatting on the visual side.

[rafasiqueira]

Sorry, but I don't understand your mention of yahoo.com. So I will just consider it some sort of typo. Usually, when there is a local model, then setting the data category for a column is straightforward. But notice that when building reports in direct-query mode, the column tools are unavailable either on the Desktop or on the Service side. See screenshot below: 

Unless I convert the report from direct-query, in which case the options are available again. My question was if it can be done in direct-query mode if I am the owner of both the dataflow and the semantic model.

[collinq]

Hi @rafasiqueira ,

What I was stating is that in Dataflow you can't change the format in the column tools to URL.  My point was that you could make the text equal to an URL, such as "www.yahoo.com" or "https://www.yahoo.com" but you can't make it a URL datatype in a Dataflow.

However, you can't use DAX in a Dataflow.  Therefore, I do not believe that you can do what you are asking to do.

You can suggest an idea to Microsoft to allow for that functionality though.  Please let us know if you do create an idea so that we can all vote for it.