Help Needed – Importing Usage Metrics Semantic Model into Power BI Desktop

[PrakashPalle]

Hi PBI Experts,

I’m trying to create a custom usage metrics report directly in Power BI Desktop, but I’m facing issues importing the semantic model. Here’s what I’ve tried so far:

1. In a report within the workspace, I selected “View usage metrics”.
2. The usage metrics report opened, but the “Save a copy” option was greyed out.
3. I attempted to view the semantic model, but received an error stating that the model is either deleted or unavailable.

My goal is to import the usage metrics semantic model into Power BI Desktop so I can build a custom report. Could you please guide me on how to achieve this?

Thanks in advance for your support!

[V-yubandi-msft]

Hi @PrakashPalle ,
Let me know if my response helped clarify things. If there’s anything you’d like me to expand on or if you need more details.

Thank You.

[PrakashPalle]

Hi @V-yubandi-msft , 

Before I joined my current project, a colleague who had created the custom usage metrics report left the organization. Now, I need to create a new custom usage metrics report. However, I'm unable to do so using the "Import as semantic model" option in Power BI Desktop.

I would like to know how to delete the existing custom usage metrics semantic models so that I can create a new report from scratch.

[V-yubandi-msft]

Hi @PrakashPalle ,

I found a relevant community thread that covers this exact scenario
Link:  Usage Metric Semantic Model – Microsoft Fabric Community

In that discussion, a user ran into the same issue you can only have one custom usage metrics dataset per report, and to start over you must delete the existing semantic model. The thread walks through identifying and removing that dataset, which is exactly what you need to do before recreating your usage metrics report.

Could you please review this and let me know if you need any additional information.

Thanks&regards,
Yugandhar.

[PrakashPalle]

Hi @V-yubandi-msft , 

I’ve already followed the recommended steps, but I’m encountering a 401 error and unable to proceed further. This issue is currently a blocker for me.

I also tried deleting all existing usage metrics reports to start fresh. However, when I attempt to recreate the report, it still shows the last refresh date corresponding to when my colleague left the organization, which suggests the old semantic model is still being referenced or cached.

Could you please assist in resolving this issue or help reset the usage metrics model completely?

[V-yubandi-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @PrakashPalle ,
If you're still encountering the issue, we recommend raising a support ticket as suggested by Ibendlin. The Microsoft support team will reach out to assist you further.

Thank You.

[PrakashPalle]

Hi @V-yubandi-msft , @lbendlin , Issue is resolved. Thanks for your help.

[PrakashPalle]

Hi @V-yubandi-msft , Do I need to raise the ticket in the same portal that was shared by @lbendlin ?

[lbendlin]

Since you have a Pro license you can open a Pro ticket at https://admin.powerplatform.microsoft.com/newsupportticket/powerbi

and have Microsoft delete it for you.

[PrakashPalle]

Hi @lbendlin , Could you please advise how Microsoft can help delete the semantic model from my workspace? Also, how does my organization authorize Microsoft to perform this action?

[lbendlin]

did you submit the ticket?

[PrakashPalle]

Hi, thanks for your response. I searched in the OneLake Data Catalog but couldn’t find the semantic model. Here’s what I tried:

1. Opened a new report and right-clicked to view usage metrics.
2. Accessed the usage metrics report and switched to the old version, as I couldn’t save changes in the new one.
3. After saving the report with a new name, I attempted to locate the associated semantic model, but encountered the same error as shown in the earlier screenshot.
4. As suggested, I also tried accessing it from Power BI Desktop via the OneLake Data Catalog, but still couldn’t find the semantic model.

Could you please guide me on how to create a custom usage metrics report in Power BI Desktop?

[lbendlin]

Accessed the usage metrics report and switched to the old version, as I couldn’t save changes in the new one.

You lost me here. Can you elaborate?

[V-yubandi-msft]

Hi @PrakashPalle ,

Thank you for bringing this up. While the Usage Metrics semantic model might show up in OneLake or your datasets list, Microsoft does not guarantee access to it from Power BI Desktop. This model is internal, read only, and its availability can depend on your workspace configuration and refresh status.

For building your own usage metrics report, consider these supported options

1. Use the Get Activity Events REST API to access detailed usage logs like report views, user IDs, and timestamps

2. Use Microsoft Purview  to filter and export Power BI audit logs

3. In Fabric enabled environments, enable the Monitoring Hub to send telemetry to Log Analytics or Eventstreams, which you can query with Kusto or Power BI.

Helpful Reference:

Admin - Get Activity Events - REST API (Power BI Power BI REST APIs) | Microsoft Learn

Search the audit log | Microsoft Learn

Monitor report usage metrics - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

Solved: Usage Metric Semantic Model - Microsoft Fabric Community

I hope this helps..

Regards,

Yugandhar.

[lbendlin]

My goal is to import the usage metrics semantic model

Import?  Did you mean to say live connect?

[PrakashPalle]

Hi @lbendlin , Thanks for your reply. Yes it is live connection. I want to connect the usage metrics semantic model in power bi desktop. 

[lbendlin]

Search for it in the OneLake catalog. may come in different names.