Issues sharing reports with a composite model built using direct query to Power BI dataset

[iron_dinges]

I have an existing Power BI dataset called Sales.

This dataset has RLS roles applied based on my various regions.

This dataset is published to Workspace A.

Reports and datasets in this workspace are shared directly with users, and only BI developers have member access to the workspace.

Using the new Direct Query to Power BI dataset feature, I built a new report, Report B with a composite model by connecting to the Sales dataset and adding an import table.

When sharing Report B with a regular user (i.e. does not have member access to Workspace A), the visuals on the report show an error:

"Can't display the visual. See details."

Details shows: "Couldn't load the data for this visual."

This user has access to the Sales dataset (read access), and access to Report B (shared directly).

Report B is not in Workspace A.

After much reading I got nowhere, and after troubleshooting I discovered that the user is able to view the visuals in Report B if they have "Build" permissions on the Sales dataset, either given directly or through member status on Workspace A.

Is this the correct/intended behaviour, or am I missing something?

I did not see this behaviour explained anywhere.

[lbendlin · Accepted solution]

That is working as designed, not necessarily as intended.  "some people" are questioning the need for build permissions in such a scenario, as it would make for a maintenance nightmare. Let's hope that this requirement will be dropped in future iterations of the composite model.