Attach a CDM folder to a new dataflow using Entity Store from Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations

[clausm73]

Hello,

I have successfully provisioned an Azure Storage Account (Data Lake) to be used by an instance of Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations as an Entity Store.

The structure of these data is obviusly comparable to a CDM folder and as such I would expect to be able to attach this folder to a Power BI dataflow in the Power BI service.

So I have configured Reader role permissions for the business user (me), Power BI Service and Power Query Online to de Storage Account - expecting this to be sufficient to attach the CDM folder.

But when I try to attach the CDM folder I get an error:

"There was a problem creating a new dataflow. The path doesn't contain model.json."

This is strange as I am able as the business user (me) to browse the storage account with Azure DAta Explorer - and can see and read the model.json file.

I have tried to elevate the Power BI Service and the business user as Owner of the Storage Account - but still I'm unable to attach the CDM folder.

Attach CDM folder

Azure Storage Account Access Control

[v-piga-msft]

Hi @clausm73 ,

Have you read this document about how to add a CDM folder to Power BI as a dataflow?

In addition, based on the error message, it seem that the issue may be casued by the Common Data Model folder path.

Please check it is right. You could refer to this document which introducing how find the path.

Best Regards,

Cherry

[clausm73]

It doesn't work.

For my demo pupose I have done:

• Created a Global Administrator Account in an Azure subscription
• Using this account I have created an Azure Storage Account - with hierarchical namespace disabled (THIS is required to be able to use it as an Entity Store Data Lake for Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations)
• Signed up for at Power BI Pro Trial license using this account
• Asserted that my Storage Account AND the Power BI service are in the same region
• Configured Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations to export data to the Data Lake
• After successful integration with Data Lake I have browsed to Storage Account CDM-folder structure and copied the URL of the model.json file.
• In the Power BI services tried to attach that CDM folder using the copied URL.

Its not working!

The only suggestion I might have to why its NOT working is:

• Power BI dataflows uses Straoge Accounts with hierarchical namespace.
• Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations exports its Entity Store to a Storage Account with hierarchical namespace DISABLED (its a requirement).