Dataflows and Hierarchies

[ells]

I am building a lot of data flows and reusing them in data sets. The data flows are purley for the developers to utilis to build data sets to support controlled self service.

My hope was that I could deliver the entities in the dataflows as complete and ready for use without any extra work. So as an example if there are multiple product dimensions I want each one to be an entity and the hierarchies to be there when I complete the build of the entity. 

This way the developer just picks up the entity and adds to the data set - no extra work. I am concerned that where I currently cant add the hierarchies when developing the data flow the developers we reuse these and manually create the hierarchies giving the chance they are not named the same.

Are we likely to see this functionallity later or is there a way of doing this today.

Thanks

E

[Anonymous]

Hi @ells,

Personally, I'm doubtful that it's currently on the backlog, though I haven't checked ideas.powerbi.com to make sure.

Power BI dataflows was essentially presented as "Power Query Online". If we make the comparison to Power BI Desktop, we use Power Query to prepare/transform data, and use the Model to create hierarchies. Meaning, the behaviour you're describing is also not an option there.

If anything, it might be possible when the new "Composite Models over Power BI Datasets and Azure AS" are here. That will allow us to pre build models, and have them referenced by other Power BI models later on.

Benni

[ells]

Thanks,

I suppose where you draw the line is based on your past experience. Having built a load of Analysis servioces cubes I consider the hierarchy as part of building the dimension.

Would love to see the hierarchy in the query stage rather than model or report.

Just my thoughts

Thanks

E

[Anonymous]

Respectfully, I disagree 😊

I've done my fair share of SSAS MD, and am still supporting a good number of them.

Apparently the kids don't think they're cool anymore ..

I consider the DSV to be the most fitting equivalent for Power Query, whereas the dimensions and measure groups are just another way of building out the actual model. 

But, as I mentioned. I'm expecting the functionality you're describing to be doable with the "Composite Models over Power BI datasets and Azure AS" features. That'll be the closest we get to referenced dimensions.