excel and access to semantic models

[db042190]

Hi, a peer showed me last week that thru excel she has access to a new, sql engine sourced semantic model she stood up.

i dont think she knew exactluy how she stumbled into that.   and honestluy i ddnt catch where she started when she opened the file.  i will circle back to her.

except for a little fabric research i'm doing, we are limited to pro licesnses and no special capacities, all of us.

i've always been under the impression that in order for excel to use a semantic model in the "get data" action of a pivot, a trial or purchase of the power pivot extension needed to be installed.

Can the community shed some light?  Maybe share enough of the story to get me started?   I see the potential payoff as substantial.  

[tayloramy · Accepted solution]

Hi @db042190, 

In addition to what @Greg_Deckler said, it can be even easier! 

There is specifically a Power BI option that will allow you to just select a semantic model from a workspace you have access to. 

If you found this helpful, consider giving some Kudos. If I answered your question or solved your problem, mark this post as the solution.

[db042190]

awesome, thx.   

[db042190]

thx amy.   i'll try it and circle back.   we dont have fabric.   and i assume you did that without the power pivot add in.   gimme a few.

[Greg_Deckler]

@db042190 This is built into Excel these days. On the Data tab:

[db042190]

thx greg, we pivot ssas all the time.   This is a question about a semantic model that was automatically refreshed this morning from a sql engine source...and retrieved in excel from the cloud.