Forum Discussion
Semantic Model incremental refresh for fact tables and regular refresh for dimension tables
Hey guys, In my semantic model there are 5 fact tables and 10 dimension tables, incremental refresh is applied on all fact tables. The issue I'm facing is that fact tables are getting incremental refresh however dimension tables are not refreshing at all.
Everytime I need to manually refresh dimension tables and republish/redeploy the semantic model, whereas I am expecting all dimension tables to refresh automatically along with the incremental refresh on fact tables.
Please let me know where there is a change needed, thank you.
Hi, JChohan , In Power BI, when applying incremental refresh to fact tables, dimension tables typically require a full refresh to ensure data consistency. To automate the refresh of dimension tables alongside the incremental refresh of fact tables, consider the following steps:
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Configure Scheduled Refresh: In the Power BI service, set up a scheduled refresh for your dataset. This process will refresh all tables—performing an incremental refresh for fact tables and a full refresh for dimension tables.
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Implement Incremental Refresh for Dimension Tables (if applicable): If your dimension tables are large and receive frequent updates, you can configure incremental refresh for them as well. This requires adding a DateTime column to track changes.
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Ensure Query Folding: Verify that your queries support folding, allowing Power BI to generate efficient queries to the data source. This is crucial for the effectiveness of incremental refresh.
By configuring scheduled refreshes and ensuring your queries support folding, your dimension tables should refresh automatically along with your fact tables, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
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4 Replies
Hi collinq , it is the service where refresh for Dims doesn't happen, there is no error message. Incremental refresh on fact tables in service goes successfully everytime, with incremental refresh it takes 10 minutes to refresh on service, if refreshed on desktop with 'Refresh' button when all tables (dims and fact tables) it takes around 20 minutes to refresh.
Hi, JChohan , In Power BI, when applying incremental refresh to fact tables, dimension tables typically require a full refresh to ensure data consistency. To automate the refresh of dimension tables alongside the incremental refresh of fact tables, consider the following steps:
-
Configure Scheduled Refresh: In the Power BI service, set up a scheduled refresh for your dataset. This process will refresh all tables—performing an incremental refresh for fact tables and a full refresh for dimension tables.
-
Implement Incremental Refresh for Dimension Tables (if applicable): If your dimension tables are large and receive frequent updates, you can configure incremental refresh for them as well. This requires adding a DateTime column to track changes.
-
Ensure Query Folding: Verify that your queries support folding, allowing Power BI to generate efficient queries to the data source. This is crucial for the effectiveness of incremental refresh.
By configuring scheduled refreshes and ensuring your queries support folding, your dimension tables should refresh automatically along with your fact tables, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
-
Hi JChohan ,
Based on the details provided you have created a composite model, and if you are doing any on-demand refresh or schedule refresh then only the tables in import mode will be refreshed.
Thanks,
Sai Teja
