Extend shared dataset with local data

[Anonymous]

I have created a dataset with generic information about user adoption for a specific product in our company. 

I would now like to share this dataset with different departments in our company, and allow them to build new reports on top of my generic dataset. All of this works fine by giving the departments the Viewer & Build permissions on the shared dataset which I created. 

I would also like to give departments the possibility to add their own data next to my shared dataset. For instance in their reports based on my shared dataset, it would be very useful if the departments could add more finegrained data that is only available to them locally. When connecting a new report to an existing shared dataset however, I don't see the option to "add data" from another source.

What would be the best way to add data from for instance a CSV file next to the shared dataset (and create a relation between both datasets)? This would allow the local departments to build their own richer reports, but all based on the same shared generic dataset. 

[TomMartens · Accepted solution]

Hey @Anonymous ,

what you are looking for is the new "composite model" capability, that allows to extend existing Power BI datasets by local data, this feature is in preview and has entered Power BI Desktop with the December 2020 release.

Start reading here: Use composite models in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Docs

One of the Program Manager of Power BI has started a discussion about this feature here: Re: Share your thoughts on DirectQuery for Power B... - Page 8 - Microsoft Power BI Community

Hopefully, this is what you are looking for.

Regards,

Tom

[Anonymous]

Thanks, this is indeed what I am looking for, but I didn't get it to work yet. 

I connect to the existing shared dataset (located in a shared workspace) as following: 

After doing so the shared dataset is loaded, but all of the data-import-buttons in Power BI desktop (2.88.1385.0) are disabled once connected to the existing shared dataset. I am unable to add a local CSV file to the report. 

In the linked docs.microsoft.com page I read: 

The following Live Connect multi-dimensional sources can't be used with composite models:

• Power BI datasets

Then again, in the PowerBI community post you mentioned I see a diagram that looks a lot like what I would like to use.. I'm confused.. 

Should I be able to use composite model with a PBI dataset anyway? Is there something to enable/activate first?
Or is there another supported way to connect to a shared PBI dataset via for example DirectQuery or other import methods that are supported for composite model? 

[Anonymous]

Ok, seems I missed the blog post, which explains the preview feature flag here, this seems to help out! 🙂