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Create DAX measures, fields and tables in Direct Query mode

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Miguel Escobar on 28 Oct 2015 07:43:41

Something new came out just a few weeks ago. We now have the ability to connect LIVE to a SQL Database and use Power Query to create our Query that will later be used in our Power BI Desktop. This is simply AMAZING!! this uses the new SSAS Tabular engine in Direct Query mode, but we can't add Measures, Calculated Fields or Calculated Tables...yet.

This should be a fairly simple request. Please let us add our measures so we can create the Model that we need in real time :)

Administrator on 16 Nov 2016 01:36:58

Hi everyone. This has actually been available for a while, sorry we never updated the Idea! You can write some DAX functions even in Direct Query mode. The functions that are supported vary by data source, but Intellisense will 'prompts' you with only the valid options are you enter your formulas. Please note it's not the same as creating measures over connection to Analysis Services models - we're still working on that, you can add support for that here: https://ideas.powerbi.com/forums/265200-power-bi-ideas/suggestions/11685723-create-calculated-measures-on-top-of-a-live-ssas-c Thanks for voting!

Comments (33)
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Brent on 05 Jul 2020 22:22:29

RE: Create DAX measures, fields and tables in Direct Query mode

I need to be able to create calculated columns on direct queries! Such a limitation here!

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Paula on 05 Jul 2020 22:18:26

RE: Create DAX measures, fields and tables in Direct Query mode

I would like to combine different cubes (Tabular and Multidimensional) without importing data.

At this moment it is impossible to create Dashboards with different cube datasources and just one common slicer. We can't import all the data (nor we want to).

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emteka on 05 Jul 2020 22:17:40

RE: Create DAX measures, fields and tables in Direct Query mode

Direct Query mode with SQL Azure database - not able to add new column using DAX like WEEKNUM or FORMAT. The option to use unrestructed DAX in Direct Query mode switched on

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Power BI User on 05 Jul 2020 22:17:07

RE: Create DAX measures, fields and tables in Direct Query mode

Agree! Latest update only addresses the adding measures limitation, but tables and multi-relation between them is also necessary!!

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Parv on 05 Jul 2020 22:13:13

RE: Create DAX measures, fields and tables in Direct Query mode

Nice to have SSAS MD support but cannot take full use of PowerBI until this feature is available.

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marian on 05 Jul 2020 22:13:10

RE: Create DAX measures, fields and tables in Direct Query mode

I agree with others. SSAS or SQL Server live connection and ability to create additional measures is must have and will provide us ability to create business production ready solution.

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Fred on 05 Jul 2020 22:13:09

RE: Create DAX measures, fields and tables in Direct Query mode

Every direct connect use cases on sql (azure or on-prem) are very limited. Please make our Power BI our SSAS cloud SaaS solution to accelerate the adoption of Azure Sql DBs for a BI use.

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DAvid on 05 Jul 2020 22:12:46

RE: Create DAX measures, fields and tables in Direct Query mode

Yes developing the Semantic model in PBdesktop with Direct Query data is a must step going forward...the sooner the better.
I too would allocate 500 votes to this if i could.

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Elliot Dixon on 05 Jul 2020 22:12:39

RE: Create DAX measures, fields and tables in Direct Query mode

I agree with all. Either need Direct Query to have the ability to use measures or need the Enterprise Gateway updated so it can send information online far more often (every second)

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Matthew Lingard Lingard on 05 Jul 2020 22:12:28

RE: Create DAX measures, fields and tables in Direct Query mode

Without this feature we can't develop Enterprise ready PowerBI deployments. Large customers are looking for low latency highly scalable BI solutions and today they are using Tableau and the wide variety of fast databases that have exploded on the scene in the last 3-4 years. if i could add 500 votes for this i would. PowerBI with this feature will be unstoppable when used in conjunction with Azure SQL DB and CCI's.