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chahineatallah
Helper III
Helper III

difference between dataflows and datasets?

Hello

I have this question, when to use dataflow & when to use dataset?

from my understanding dataset contains data+transformations for data +relationships+dax etc, so when i upload my model it becomes a dataset

 

for dataflow , difference is that i dont have model & dax in it , & transformations are done in powerquery in web 

so when to use dataflow & when to use dataset? 

in addition if i have a dataset, and i want to transform the data to add some columns etc, how to go back from dataset to the data if i am able to access the dataset, is there a way? 

 

Thanks

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION
amitchandak
Super User
Super User

@chahineatallah , dataflow is for a common set of tables that need transformations and needs to be used across various projects. Dataflow will become a source for the dataset.  Dataflow is a set of tables but not model.

 

Dataset is a model with a Table , relationship, new columns, and measures. It is ready to be used report.

 

We can have all dimension tables and the small facts and static tables as dataflows and let all global team uses that without knowing what all needed to build those.

 

Say, for example, I have an article dimension that uses a few sources including excel. So I made a dataflow global dimenions with Article and few other dimensions.

 

Then I used that in Sales Dataset and Purchase Dataset and allowed sales and purchase team to use dataset to create report

 

Dataflows and Dataset Design Pattern implementation: https://youtu.be/zwhJ1hWPcrA

 

https://radacad.com/dataflow-vs-dataset-what-are-the-differences-of-these-two-power-bi-components

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1 REPLY 1
amitchandak
Super User
Super User

@chahineatallah , dataflow is for a common set of tables that need transformations and needs to be used across various projects. Dataflow will become a source for the dataset.  Dataflow is a set of tables but not model.

 

Dataset is a model with a Table , relationship, new columns, and measures. It is ready to be used report.

 

We can have all dimension tables and the small facts and static tables as dataflows and let all global team uses that without knowing what all needed to build those.

 

Say, for example, I have an article dimension that uses a few sources including excel. So I made a dataflow global dimenions with Article and few other dimensions.

 

Then I used that in Sales Dataset and Purchase Dataset and allowed sales and purchase team to use dataset to create report

 

Dataflows and Dataset Design Pattern implementation: https://youtu.be/zwhJ1hWPcrA

 

https://radacad.com/dataflow-vs-dataset-what-are-the-differences-of-these-two-power-bi-components

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