Unable to insert table for some Power BI datasets in Excel

[fo6168]

I am trying to utilize the feature to connect directly to a PBI dataset in Excel. I thought that I would be able to insert a table or a pivot table for any dataset that I have access to, but many of the datasets have 'insert table' greyed out. The error I get when I hover on the greyed out button is "this dataset cannot be inserted as a table because of tenant feature switches". Can someone help me understand why this issue occurs only on some datasets?

Below you can see that while I have both options available for the top dataset, the insert table option is greyed out for the next dataset listed.

[fo6168]

I am using the same version of excel when accessing the datasets. If you see my screenshot in the original request, you can see 2 datasets in the same excel instance - one of them has insert table greyed out and the other one has insert table available. Excel version is below for reference.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi @fo6168 

Thanks for the reply from AnkitKukreja and pallavi_r .

If the problem persists, then it may be necessary for you to provide more information so that we can better assist you. From your screenshot, it looks like the two semantic models are not from the same workspace, so are both workspaces from the same tenant? Also, from your screenshot it looks like table does not exist in that dataset, what is your role in that workspace? You may need to check the settings related to this semantic model.

After testing, the “Insert Table” option is grayed out when I don't have the following option turned on in the admin portal. During my testing, this error occurs only in this case, please check again.

Also, you need to have a Fabric license and Fabric administrator role to access the admin portal, if you don't meet this condition then you may need to contact your organization's administrator.

For more details, you can read related documents:

What is the Microsoft Fabric admin portal? - Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft Learn

What is Microsoft Fabric administration? - Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft Learn

There is another point that I am questioning, in the last year Power BI Dataset has been renamed to Power BI Semantic model as shown in the screenshot I have provided, but your screenshot still shows Power BI Dataset, I think you can also check the current version of Power BI.

New name for Power BI datasets - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

Best Regards,
Yulia Xu

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

[fo6168]

Hello v-xuxinyi-msft, thank you for your response, please see my corresponding answers below.

• In the screenshot I provided, there were 2 different semantic models in 2 different workspaces, but we only use a single tenant 
• There are tables in the semantic model in my screenshot. I can see them in PBI online without an issue. 
• I am an admin in the workspace where the semantic model exists.
• I am not able to view the admin settings at my company, but I will check with another member of my team to see if they can check the setting you highlighted above in your answer to see if that works.

[AnkitKukreja]

Hi! @fo6168 

Please look at this to ensure you are not hitting any limitations, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/collaborate-share/service-analyze-in-excel. And also make sure to check the prerequisites.

[fo6168]

Hi @AnkitKukreja I reviewed the list of considerations and limitations in the article you sent, but it doesn't answer my question. Since insert table is available for some datasets and not others, it seems like an issue at the PBI dataset level - maybe something to do with access or the source server.

[AnkitKukreja]

Hi! @fo6168 
By some dataset do you mean on the same workspace or different? Also, have a look at the prerequisites, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/collaborate-share/service-analyze-in-excel#prerequisites else I would recommend you to contact MS support.

[pallavi_r]

Hi @fo6168 

Can you check the version of excel for which it works and version of excel that does not work.

Thanks,

Pallavi