Composite models in Power BI - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This table shows product sales data loaded from a DirectQuery source.

Cell	Value
A1	ProductID
B1	ProductName
C1	SalesAmount
A2	101
B2	Chair
C2	150
A3	102
B3	Table
C3	300
A4	103
B4	Lamp
C4	120

Formula Trace

Total Sales = SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]) + SUM(ImportedSales[SalesAmount])

Step 1: SUM(Sales[SalesAmount])

Step 2: SUM(ImportedSales[SalesAmount])

Step 3: 570 + 430

Cell Reference Map

    A       B           C
1 ProductID ProductName SalesAmount
2 101       Chair       150
3 102       Table       300
4 103       Lamp        120

ImportedSales Table (not shown in cells) has SalesAmount: 200, 230

Formula uses Sales[SalesAmount] and ImportedSales[SalesAmount]

The formula references Sales table's SalesAmount column (shown in cells) and ImportedSales table's SalesAmount column (imported data not shown in this grid).

Result

    D
1 Total Sales
2 1000

The calculated measure 'Total Sales' shows the combined sales amount from both DirectQuery and imported tables, totaling 1000.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What does the formula 'SUM(Sales[SalesAmount])' calculate?

A Sum of sales amounts from the DirectQuery Sales table

B Sum of sales amounts from the imported ImportedSales table

C Sum of product IDs

D Count of sales records

Key Result

Composite models combine data from DirectQuery and imported tables by summing measures from both sources.

Practice

1.

What is the main benefit of using composite models in Power BI?

easy

A. They only work with Import mode data.

B. They allow combining data from multiple sources in one report.

C. They automatically clean data without user input.

D. They replace the need for relationships between tables.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand composite models purpose

   Composite models let you combine data from different sources in one Power BI report.

2. Step 2: Compare options

   Only 'They allow combining data from multiple sources in one report.' correctly states this benefit; others are incorrect or unrelated.

3. Final Answer:

   They allow combining data from multiple sources in one report. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Composite models = combine multiple sources [OK]

Hint: Composite models = mix data sources in one report [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking composite models only work with Import mode
• Believing composite models clean data automatically
• Assuming relationships are not needed in composite models

2.

Which of the following is the correct way to enable composite models in Power BI?

Options > Preview Features > Enable Composite Models

easy

A. Enable Composite Models under Options > Preview Features

B. Enable Composite Models under File > Export

C. Enable Composite Models under Home > Transform Data

D. Enable Composite Models under View > Themes

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate composite models setting

   Composite models are enabled via Options > Preview Features in Power BI Desktop.

2. Step 2: Verify other options

   Other options do not contain this setting, so only Enable Composite Models under Options > Preview Features is correct.

3. Final Answer:

   Enable Composite Models under Options > Preview Features -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Composite models setting = Options > Preview Features [OK]

Hint: Check Preview Features in Options for composite models [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Looking for composite models in Export or Themes menus
• Confusing data transformation with enabling composite models
• Assuming composite models are enabled by default

3.

Given a composite model with two tables: Sales (Import mode) and Customers (DirectQuery mode), what happens when you create a relationship between them?

medium

A. The relationship only works if both tables are in Import mode.

B. Power BI throws an error because relationships cannot connect Import and DirectQuery tables.

C. The relationship works but disables DirectQuery mode for the Customers table.

D. Power BI allows cross-source relationships, enabling combined filtering and analysis.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand composite model relationships

   Composite models allow relationships between Import and DirectQuery tables.

2. Step 2: Analyze options

   Only 'Power BI allows cross-source relationships, enabling combined filtering and analysis.' correctly states what happens; others are false.

3. Final Answer:

   Power BI allows cross-source relationships, enabling combined filtering and analysis. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Composite models = cross-source relationships allowed [OK]

Hint: Composite models support relationships across Import and DirectQuery [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Believing relationships cannot connect different storage modes
• Thinking DirectQuery tables lose their mode when related
• Assuming relationships only work within same storage mode

4.

You created a composite model with Import and DirectQuery tables but get an error when trying to build a relationship. What is a likely cause?

medium

A. The composite models feature is not enabled in Preview Features.

B. You used the wrong DAX syntax for the relationship.

C. Power BI does not support relationships between tables.

D. The data sources are from the same database.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check composite models feature status

   If composite models are not enabled in Preview Features, relationships between Import and DirectQuery tables cause errors.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   DAX syntax is not used to create relationships; Power BI supports relationships; same database does not cause errors.

3. Final Answer:

   The composite models feature is not enabled in Preview Features. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Enable composite models to allow cross-source relationships [OK]

Hint: Enable composite models in Preview Features to avoid relationship errors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to fix relationships with DAX syntax
• Assuming relationships are unsupported in Power BI
• Thinking same database causes relationship errors

5.

You have a composite model with three tables: Orders (Import), Products (DirectQuery), and Customers (Import). You want to create a report showing total sales by product category and customer region. Which approach is best?

hard

A. Use only the Orders table and ignore others to simplify the report.

B. Import all tables to avoid composite models and relationships.

C. Create relationships between all tables, use DirectQuery for Products, and build visuals combining all data.

D. Create separate reports for each table and combine them outside Power BI.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand composite model usage

   Composite models allow mixing Import and DirectQuery tables with relationships for combined analysis.

2. Step 2: Apply to scenario

   Creating relationships between all tables and using DirectQuery for Products enables combined sales by product category and customer region.

3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

   Importing all tables may not be possible; ignoring tables loses insights; separate reports reduce integration.

4. Final Answer:

   Create relationships between all tables, use DirectQuery for Products, and build visuals combining all data. -> Option C

5. Quick Check:

   Composite models + relationships = combined report [OK]

Hint: Use relationships to combine Import and DirectQuery tables in one report [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to avoid composite models by importing all data
• Ignoring important tables for simplicity
• Splitting data into separate reports unnecessarily