Connect to Power BI DAX in DirectQuery Mode

Starting August 2026, you can use Power BI (June 2026 or later) to connect to Mosaic in Direct Query mode and build composite models using multiple data sources. There are two supported creation paths. You can create a new live connection in Power BI or use an existing Power BI model.

Strategy Live Connection

  1. Open a blank Power BI file and connect to the Strategy Mosaic model using a live connection.

  2. Click Make changes to this model in the ribbon or the footer.

  3. Power BI converts the live connection into a DirectQuery and creates a new local semantic model.

  4. Click Get data in the right pane and add more tables from the other storage mode to create a composite model.

Add Strategy Mosaic Tables to an Existing Semantic Model

You can also start with an existing Power BI model that already contains Import or DirectQuery tables.

  1. Open a Power BI file that contains an existing semantic model, such as the following:

    • An Import model based on Excel.

    • A DirectQuery model connected to another data source.

  2. To add tables to the existing model, click Add data.

  3. Select SQL Server Analysis Services database as the data source.

  4. In Server, enter your Mosaic connection information and establish the connection.

  5. When prompted to Connect to your data, connect using the Perspectives browser.

    A warning displays if you select Database.

Limitations of Direct Query and Composite Model

The following limitations apply when using a Strategy Mosaic semantic model with Power BI in DirectQuery mode:

  • For more information on the existing live connection mode limitations, see Mosaic Power BI Limitations.

  • While DirectQuery mode enables you to combine multiple datasets, certain modeling capabilities are not yet fully supported or certified with Mosaic. These capabilities include Field Parameters, Numeric Parameters, New Column, New Group, New Measure, New Table, and other similar modeling objects.

  • Strategy Advanced Metrics are not supported in Power BI DirectQuery scenarios.

  • Subtotal and grand total calculations are not fully supported in certain Power BI multi-source DirectQuery scenarios.

  • Only Many-to-one (M:1) and Many-to-many (M) relationship types are supported between a Strategy Mosaic model and an Excel data source.

  • Column names that contain the >= operator, such as Age >= 40, are not supported and may cause a DAX node error. Use a descriptive column name instead.

  • On the first Power BI page, if all visualizations contain only metrics and no attributes, the visualization may initially display a "Could not resolve connected cube" error. To resolve the issue, click Refresh visuals in Power BI.