Test semantic model scale-out

This article describes how you can test the semantic model scale-out feature.

Step 1 - Create a scale-out query

  1. Open Power BI Desktop and sign into your account.

  2. Select Transform data to open the Power BI Power Query Editor.

    A screenshot highlighting the transform data button in Power B I Desktop.

  3. In the Power BI Power Query Editor, select New Source.

    A screenshot highlighting the new source button in the power query editor in Power B I Desktop.

  4. In the Get Data pop-up window, select Blank Query and select Connect.

    A screenshot highlighting the blank query option in the get data window in Power B I Desktop.

  5. Select Query 1, and then select Advanced editor.

    A screenshot highlighting the advanced editor button in the power query editor in Power B I Desktop.

  6. Enter the following M Formula language code.

    let 
        Source = "Dataset last refreshed:",    
        #"Converted to Table" = #table(1, {{Source}}), 
        #"Renamed Columns" = Table.RenameColumns(#"Converted to Table",{{"Column1", "RefreshInfo"}}) 
    in 
        #"Renamed Columns"
    
    
  7. Select Done.

  8. In the Power Query Editor select Close & Apply.

    A screenshot showing the close and apply button in the power query editor in Power B I Desktop.

Step 2 - Create a time column

  1. In Power BI Desktop select Data.

    A screenshot showing the data button highlighted in Power B I Desktop.

  2. In the Fields pane, select Query 1.

  3. Select New column.

  4. Enter the following DAX expression to define a new calculated column.

    Time = NOW()
    

    A screenshot showing the time equals now dax query.

  5. Select Report.

    A screenshot showing the report button highlighted in Power B I Desktop.

  6. Select Publish and in the Microsoft Power BI Desktop pop-up window, select Save.

    A screenshot showing the Microsoft Power B I Desktop pop up window after the publish button is selected. The publish and save buttons are highlighted.

  7. in the Publish to Power BI pop-up window, select the workspace you want to enable scale-out for, and then select Select.

    A screenshot showing the publish to Power B I pop up window in the Power B I Desktop.

Step 3 - Connect to the read-write semantic model (optional)

By default, Power BI Desktop connects to a read-only replica. To connect to the read-write semantic model, follow these steps:

  1. In SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), expand Databases and select the uploaded Power BI semantic model.

  2. Run a simple DAX query such as:

    Evaluate Query1
    

    A screenshot showing the evaluate query 1 D A X query in S Q L Server Management Studio.

Step 4 - Validate the read/write connection (optional)

If you followed step 3, you're connected to the read-write semantic model. You can validate this connection by following these steps:

  1. In SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), right-click your semantic model, select Process Database.

    A screenshot showing the process database option highlighted in S Q L Server Management Studio.

  2. In the Process Database dialog box, select OK.

    A screenshot showing the process database window with the O K button highlighted.

  3. Once the process completes successfully, select Close and close the Process Database window.

  4. In the DAX query window, execute the query Evaluate Query1 again. SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) shows the latest refresh time because it's connected to the read/write replica.