Skip to main content
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Prepping for a Fabric certification exam? Join us for a live prep session with exam experts to learn how to pass the exam. Register now.

Reply
user900
Helper II
Helper II

Semantic model help

I have an extisting report in Service with a related semantic model. There are some hidden sheets due to data sensitivity. To establish row level security, I need to create another report with the exact same visuals but unhide all sheets. This new report will have a separate audience from the original.  Can I download the semantic model, and re-upload it with a different name or do I need to use the Power BI semantic models connector under Get Data?  The difference I see in the 2 approaches are:

  • Downloading retains the visuals on a massive report
  • Get Data requires rebuilding of each visual

Do both these approaches return the same result?  Please advise.

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION
Anonymous
Not applicable

Hi @user900 ,

Both methods will achieve the effect you want.


1. Download and re-upload the semantic model. This method requires publishing it back to the Power BI service under a different name. All visuals and configurations of massive reports are retained, which is a significant advantage. However, be sure to adjust your RLS settings as needed for your new audience.

 

2. Use the Power BI semantic model connector under Get Data. This method can be very time-consuming for reports with a large number of visuals. This approach is more suitable for scenarios that require significant changes to the data model or visuals.

 

Both approaches achieve the desired result, which is to create separate reports for different audiences and adjust data visibility. However, the first option (downloading and re-uploading the semantic model) may be more efficient and straightforward, since you want to maintain the same visual effect. Additionally, since you want to implement row-level security, make sure the security roles and rules are properly defined in the Power BI Desktop file before publishing.

 

If your Current Period does not refer to this, please clarify in a follow-up reply.

 

Best Regards,

Clara Gong

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

View solution in original post

1 REPLY 1
Anonymous
Not applicable

Hi @user900 ,

Both methods will achieve the effect you want.


1. Download and re-upload the semantic model. This method requires publishing it back to the Power BI service under a different name. All visuals and configurations of massive reports are retained, which is a significant advantage. However, be sure to adjust your RLS settings as needed for your new audience.

 

2. Use the Power BI semantic model connector under Get Data. This method can be very time-consuming for reports with a large number of visuals. This approach is more suitable for scenarios that require significant changes to the data model or visuals.

 

Both approaches achieve the desired result, which is to create separate reports for different audiences and adjust data visibility. However, the first option (downloading and re-uploading the semantic model) may be more efficient and straightforward, since you want to maintain the same visual effect. Additionally, since you want to implement row-level security, make sure the security roles and rules are properly defined in the Power BI Desktop file before publishing.

 

If your Current Period does not refer to this, please clarify in a follow-up reply.

 

Best Regards,

Clara Gong

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

Helpful resources

Announcements
May PBI 25 Carousel

Power BI Monthly Update - May 2025

Check out the May 2025 Power BI update to learn about new features.

May 2025 Monthly Update

Fabric Community Update - May 2025

Find out what's new and trending in the Fabric community.

Top Solution Authors