Power BI January 2025: TMDL Views, Model Histories & Data Exploration

Key insights

• Explore This Data: A new feature in the visual options menu that allows users to easily analyze datasets directly from visuals, streamlining the data analysis process.


• Treemap Visual Enhancements: The Treemap visual now includes three new tiling methods—Squarified, Binary, and Alternating—providing better layout options and customization for data visualization.


• TMDL Scripting Experience (Preview): Introduces a scripting capability using Tabular Model Definition Language (TMDL) in Power BI Desktop, allowing users to script and modify semantic models with enhanced development efficiency.


• Semantic Model Version History (Preview): Enables tracking of changes and maintaining version histories of semantic models, improving model management and collaboration capabilities.


• Updated File Picker: Improvements to the file picker for saving files in OneDrive and SharePoint, aligning it more closely with Office experiences for easier navigation and file management.


• Text Slicer Enhancements (Preview): Allows multiple text selections for filtering datasets, providing enhanced control over data slicing within Power BI visuals.

Introduction to the January 2025 Power BI Update

The Power BI January 2025 update brings a host of new features aimed at enhancing data exploration and model management. In a recent YouTube video, Fernan Espejo from Solutions Abroad delves into these updates, offering insights and opinions on their potential impact. This article explores the key features introduced in this update, discussing their benefits, challenges, and the tradeoffs involved in balancing different factors.

Explore This Data: Simplifying Data Analysis

One of the standout features in the January 2025 update is the "Explore This Data" option. This new entry point in the visual options menu allows users to delve deeper into datasets directly from visuals. By simplifying the data analysis process, this feature empowers users to gain insights without the distractions of complex reports. However, while this streamlined approach enhances user experience, it may also limit the depth of analysis for those requiring more detailed data exploration.

• Provides a focused experience for data exploration.
• Allows users to tweak visuals and see underlying data easily.
• May limit detailed analysis for advanced users.

Treemap Visual Enhancements: Improved Data Visualization

The Treemap visual has received significant enhancements with three new tiling methods: Squarified, Binary, and Alternating. These methods offer improved layout options and customization, resulting in more precise and aesthetically pleasing treemaps. While these enhancements provide richer control over data visualization, users must balance the complexity of choosing the right tiling method for their specific dataset.

• Squarified method creates balanced layouts with square-like rectangles.
• Binary method offers a visually appealing treemap by dividing chart areas.
• Alternating method organizes datasets with multiple hierarchical levels.

Semantic Model Version History: Enhancing Model Management

The introduction of Semantic Model Version History in preview mode is a game-changer for model management. This feature allows users to track changes and maintain version histories of their semantic models, facilitating better collaboration and control. However, managing version histories can be challenging, especially for large teams, as it requires careful coordination to avoid conflicts and ensure consistency.

• Empowers users to recover from critical mistakes.
• Facilitates collaboration by tracking changes in semantic models.
• Requires careful coordination to manage version histories effectively.

TMDL Scripting Experience: A New Approach to Semantic Modeling

The Tabular Model Definition Language (TMDL) scripting experience offers an alternative to the traditional graphical user interface for semantic modeling. By allowing users to script, modify, and apply changes using TMDL, this feature enhances development efficiency and provides complete visibility over semantic model metadata. However, this approach may present a learning curve for users unfamiliar with scripting languages.

• Enhances development efficiency with a modern code editor.
• Increases reusability by sharing and reusing TMDL scripts.
• May present a learning curve for users unfamiliar with scripting.

Challenges and Tradeoffs in Power BI Updates

While the January 2025 Power BI update introduces several exciting features, it also presents challenges and tradeoffs. Balancing user-friendliness with advanced capabilities is a constant challenge in software development. Features like "Explore This Data" simplify data analysis but may limit detailed exploration for power users. Similarly, while Treemap visual enhancements offer improved visualization, they require users to choose the right tiling method for their data. Moreover, managing semantic model version histories and adopting TMDL scripting require careful consideration and coordination. These features empower users with greater control but necessitate a deeper understanding of model management and scripting techniques.

Conclusion: Empowering Users with Enhanced Features

The January 2025 Power BI update is a testament to Microsoft's commitment to empowering users with enhanced data exploration and model management capabilities. By introducing features like "Explore This Data," Treemap visual enhancements, Semantic Model Version History, and TMDL scripting, Power BI continues to evolve as a powerful tool for data analysis and business intelligence. As users navigate these new features, they must weigh the benefits against the challenges and tradeoffs involved. Ultimately, these updates aim to make data exploration more intuitive and model management more efficient, enabling users to gain deeper insights and maintain control over their data models. As the Power BI community continues to provide feedback, Microsoft will undoubtedly refine and expand these capabilities in future updates.

Keywords

Power BI January 2025 Update TMDL View Semantic Model Version History Explore Data New Features Business Intelligence Microsoft Analytics