Question about Direct Query with shared semantic models

[R_S]

Hello,

Currently I mange shared semantic models for various business departments that feed mainly from a common data warehouse. These shared semantic models use Import storage mode. One department would now like to add some excel data (that they would maintain) to one of their reports. If this report is changed to use a composite model then the connection to the shared PBI semantic model will change to Direct Query.

Does this mean that just the shared semantic model will be accessed directly, or will the shared semantic model also then access the DWH via DQ instead of Import.

Cheers,

R

[vanessafvg]

in the composite model you can see which tables are direct query or imported in the layout view (model view).  if your dwh tables are set to import, then they will still need to be imported in.   Not sure if i am answering your question. 

[nilendraFabric · Accepted solution]

When you create a composite model that connects to your shared semantic model via DirectQuery and adds Excel data, only the connection between your report and the shared semantic model will be DirectQuery.

The shared semantic model itself will maintain its original Import storage mode connection to the data warehouse.

In other words:

Your report will use DirectQuery to access the shared semantic model

The shared semantic model will continue to use Import mode to access the data warehouse

Your Excel data will be imported into your report

This is what's known as "chaining" in composite models, where a DirectQuery connection is made to another tabular model (in this case, your shared semantic model). The underlying storage mode of the shared semantic model remains unchanged

[R_S]

Hello,

Currently I mange shared semantic models for various business departments that feed mainly from a common data warehouse. These shared semantic models use Import storage mode. One department would now like to add some excel data (that they would maintain) to one of their reports. If this report is changed to use a composite model then the connection to the shared PBI semantic model will change to Direct Query.

Does this mean that just the shared semantic model will be accessed directly, or will the shared semantic model also then access the DWH via DQ instead of Import.

Cheers,

R

[V-yubandi-msft]

Hi @R_S ,

As we haven’t heard back from you, we wanted to kindly follow up to check if the solution we provided for your issue worked for you  or let us know if you need any further assistance?

Your feedback is important to us, Looking forward to your response. 

[R_S]

I am not sure how a second thread was created. I've already commented here: Solved: Question about Direct Query with shared semantic m... - Microsoft Fabric Community

[V-yubandi-msft]

Hi @R_S ,

Thank you  @lbendlin , for the clarification. 

1.  Adding Excel data  to a report connected to a shared semantic model will switch the report to composite model mode, making the connection to the shared semantic model DirectQuery.

2. This change only affects the report’s connection. The original shared semantic model remains in its storage mode, like Import, and does not switch to DirectQuery for its data sources (data warehouse).

 Refer to the official Microsoft documentation.

 Use composite models in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

Regards,

Yugandhar.

[lbendlin]

You need to differentiate between the semantic model being the source or the destination.

Destination:  You are loading data into a semantic model in import mode, or you connect to data sources in live or direct query modes.  The fact that you import the data into the semantic model is irrelevant for the report users.

Source:  If you connect to a semantic model you do that by default in Live mode. Only if you attempt to make changes to the data model will it switch to mixed/direct query mode.  This still has nothing to do with the fact that the semantic model you connect to may have been fed by import mode sources.

Adding the (non-foldable) Excel Source is equivalent to a data model modification, hence you will be asked to switch to Mixed mode. 

[R_S]

Thank you, this was what I wanted to confirm.