Small vs. Large Semantic Model Storage format

[frithjof_v]

Hi,

I am wondering:

• Are there any benefits of using Small Semantic Model Storage format, or should we always use Large Semantic Model Storage format if we have Power BI Premium?
• Does the choice between Small vs. Large Semantic Model Storage format have any impact when using Direct Lake semantic models?
• Or does the choice between Small vs. Large Semantic Model Storage format only matter if we are using Import Mode semantic model?

Hope someone can help me understand this better 😀

Thank you in advance!

[Somu1234]

Hi All, In my workspace setting, under Semantic Model Storage Format, "Large Semantic Model Storage Format" is disabled. Could anyone tell why it is disabled and how to enable it.

[frithjof_v]

I'm curious about the "This workspace is configured to use a capacity that you don't have access to" part

[lbendlin]

There are no tenant settings that can block that, only this

What SKU are you running on?

[Somu1234]

Hi,

I found the solution. Only the capacity admins can enable the option in a workspace. Capcacity admins need to get access as workspace admins and then they can change the storage format.

Thank you all.

Regards,

Somasundaram.S

[lbendlin]

Until very recently you could not download PBIX from large storage format models. That restriction has been lifted. 

[SaiTejaTalasila]

Hi @frithjof_v ,

Large Semantic model comes with additional capabilities to handle large volume of data.

As per my knowledge ,direct lake mode is a capability of semantic model.If you are using direct lake mode then the data will be directly loaded to power bi engine and gets processed.

You can refer below links for more details 

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/enterprise/service-premium-large-models

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/fabric/get-started/direct-lake-overview

Thanks,

Sai Teja 

[frithjof_v]

Will the choice between small or large semantic model storage format affect how much data a Direct Lake query can handle before it reaches it's limit (falls back to DirectQuery)?

Or is the choice between small and large semantic model storage format only relevant when using import mode semantic model?

[lbendlin]

Only relevant for the import mode queries in your semantic model.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/enterprise/service-premium-large-models#considerations-an...

[SaiTejaTalasila · Accepted solution]

Hi @frithjof_v ,

As per my knowledge,there will be no impact on your storage if you are using direct lake or direct query.So, you don't have to worry about it as the data will be processed by only power bi engine when you are interacting with your reports as there will be no intermediate data staging on the semantic model.

I hope I have answered your query.

Thanks,

Sai Teja