Error refreshing semantic model

[bic]

When trying to refresh a semantic model in a pipeline I get the follow error message:

"Data source error: The specified table '' not found in the target model."

There's no blank tables so I'm not sure what's happening. Any ideas?

Thanks.

[rohit1991 · Accepted solution]

Hi @bic ,

The error message you're encountering—"Data source error: The specified table '' not found in the target model"—typically indicates that the semantic model (formerly known as a dataset) is trying to reference a table that either no longer exists in the source or was renamed or removed during development but not properly updated in the model schema. Even if no blank tables are visible in your model, there might be phantom references—such as calculated tables, relationships, or measures—that still point to a deleted or renamed table.

To resolve this, open your model in Power BI Desktop and carefully check for any invalid references in the Model view, including unused queries, broken relationships, or DAX expressions referencing missing tables. Additionally, try refreshing the model locally to see if the same error persists—this can help narrow down whether the issue is in the Power BI Service or the model itself. Once you've cleaned up any orphaned elements, republish the model and re-run the pipeline refresh.

[Jai-Rathinavel · Accepted solution]

@bic  You might have renamed the Table name in desktop and might have published it to service. While setting up the enhanced refresh using pipeline in service you might have pointed it to your old Table name (Eg: Finance) . Now just repoint it to your latest table name (Eg: Financial)

[v-aatheeque]

Hi @bic ,

We haven't heard back from you on the last response and wanted to check if you were able to resolve the issue. If the solution worked, please click Accept Answer and select Yes for Was this answer helpful?

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask.

Thank you for being a valued member of the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum!

[v-aatheeque]

Hi @bic ,

If the information provide by @andrewsommer is helpful, please accept the answer by clicking the "Upvote" and "Accept Answer" on the post.

If you are still facing any issue, please let us know in the comments. We are glad to help you.We value your feedback, and it will help us to assist others who might have a similar query.
Thank you for your contribution in enhancing Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.

[rohit1991 · Accepted solution]

Hi @bic ,

The error message you're encountering—"Data source error: The specified table '' not found in the target model"—typically indicates that the semantic model (formerly known as a dataset) is trying to reference a table that either no longer exists in the source or was renamed or removed during development but not properly updated in the model schema. Even if no blank tables are visible in your model, there might be phantom references—such as calculated tables, relationships, or measures—that still point to a deleted or renamed table.

To resolve this, open your model in Power BI Desktop and carefully check for any invalid references in the Model view, including unused queries, broken relationships, or DAX expressions referencing missing tables. Additionally, try refreshing the model locally to see if the same error persists—this can help narrow down whether the issue is in the Power BI Service or the model itself. Once you've cleaned up any orphaned elements, republish the model and re-run the pipeline refresh.

[andrewsommer]

I would interpret that error as the entire table is missing.  Is that table coming from a flow that is deleted or renamed.  Has the structure/semantics of that table changed?

Please mark this post as a solution if it helps you. Appreciate Kudos.

[v-aatheeque]

Hi @bic ,
If the information provide by @andrewsommer  is helpful, please accept the answer by clicking the "Upvote" and "Accept Answer" on the post.

If you are still facing any issue, please let us know in the comments. We are glad to help you.We value your feedback, and it will help us to assist others who might have a similar query.
Thank you for your contribution in enhancing Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.