Refresh Power BI Metadata

[SivaMani]

Hello,

I have a situation where I need to add new attributes to the Power BI Semantic Model (published to Service). Is there a way to refresh the metadata of a semantic model using an API or programmatically?

A little background: The table is structured with attributes and their values, which must be pivoted based on the requirement.

Type	Value
ID	1
Title	Text
Date	2024-09-04

ID	Title	Date
1	Text	2024-09-04

I need to ensure that any new attributes added to the data source are included as new columns in the model without having to refresh it on the desktop and publish it every time.

Example,

Type	Value
ID	1
Title	Text
Date	2024-09-04
Is Completed	yes	yes
Completed Date	2024-09-06

[aj1973]

Hi @SivaMani 

• Use dynamic data sources in Power BI. This involves setting up your data source query to dynamically adapt to changes in the schema. For example, using SQL queries that select all columns (SELECT *) can help ensure new columns are automatically included.
• In Power Query, avoid hardcoding column names. Instead, use functions like Table.ColumnNames to dynamically reference columns.
• Set up data alerts and monitoring to notify you when new columns are added to the data source. This can help you stay informed and take necessary actions if needed.

[lbendlin]

As a side note - Power Query HATES data source changes. It will punish you with endless "Evaluating..."  dialogues that you can either sit out or cancel (which will make it worse).  So think twice before you go that route.

[SaiTejaTalasila]

Hi @SivaMani ,

I think pivot will be able to handle it.Can you check once -

PivotedTable = Table.Pivot(RemoveDuplicates, List.Distinct(RemoveDuplicates[Type]), "Type", "Value")

Thanks,

Sai Teja 

[SivaMani]

@SaiTejaTalasila This only works on Desktop. Thanks for your response!

[SivaMani]

I believe It may not work. As Power BI Service only refreshes the source's data. However, Power BI desktop does data and schema refreshes.

I am looking for a way to refresh the schema of the semantic model published to Service, either through a tool or programmatically.

[lbendlin · Accepted solution]

That's what ALM Toolkit does.  Or you can go rogue and craft your own XMLA.

[SivaMani]

@lbendlin Is there any documentation/blog on using ALM Toolkit for my use case?

[lbendlin]

How to Use - ALM Toolkit (alm-toolkit.com)

[SaiTejaTalasila]

Hi @SivaMani ,

If it is working on desktop then it will work on service.

Thanks,

Sai Teja 

[lbendlin]

Use ALM Toolkit.

[SivaMani]

@lbendlin Let me give it a try. Thanks!