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Add a BI Semantic Model Connection Content Type to a Library (PowerPivot for SharePoint)

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A BI semantic model connection is created in SharePoint and provides redirection to business intelligence semantic model data in a PowerPivot workbook or Analysis Services tabular model database on a network server. Before you can create a BI semantic model connection in SharePoint, you must extend a document library to allow the creation of a .bism file. This step only needs to be performed once for each library, but you will need to repeat it for any library from which you want to create .bism files. Best practices recommend that you create a centralized library for storing .bism files so that you can manage permissions in one place.

Note

If you already use SharePoint Data Connection Libraries, the BI Semantic Model Connection content type is automatically added to that library template. You can skip the steps in this section if you use a data connection library that already lets you create new BI semantic model connection documents.

Add the content type to a document library

You must have at least the Manage Lists permission to add and configure a content type. This permission is built into the Design permission level and above.

The site that contains the document library must have feature activation for PowerPivot for SharePoint. For more information, see Activate PowerPivot Feature Integration for Site Collections in Central Administration.

  1. Open the document library for which you want to enable the BI Semantic Model Connection content type.

  2. On the SharePoint ribbon, in Library Tools, click Library.

  3. Click Library Settings.

  4. In General Settings, click Advanced settings.

  5. In Content Types, in the "Allow management of content types?" section, click Yes.

  6. Click OK.

  7. In the Content Types section, click Add from existing site content types. If you do not see this page, go back to the site, click Library in Library Tools, and then click Library Settings.

  8. In Content Types, click Add from existing site content types.

  9. In Select site content types from:, select Business Intelligence.

  10. In Available Site Content Types, click BI Semantic Model Connection File, and then click Add to move the selected content type to the Content types to add list.

  11. Click OK.

  12. To verify you added the content type, go back to the library and click New Document on the Documents area of the library ribbon. You should see BI Semantic Model Connection File in the New Documents list.

    New Document submenu in a SharePoint library

After you enable the BI semantic model connection content type for a library, you can create a connection that provides redirection to business semantic model data that can be used by Excel or Power View reports. Choose from the following links to learn more about this next step:

Create a BI Semantic Model Connection to a PowerPivot Workbook

Create a BI Semantic Model Connection to a Tabular Model Database

See Also

Concepts

PowerPivot BI Semantic Model Connection (.bism)

Use a BI Semantic Model Connection in Excel or Reporting Services