Tabular Editor 3: A Game-Changer in Power BI and Analysis Services Development

In its latest release, Tabular Editor 3 has introduced several exciting features that have taken the development community by storm. In this article, we will delve into the key changes and enhancements that make Tabular Editor 3 a must-have tool for anyone working with Power BI or Analysis Services.

Firstly, the Current Model serialization options tab is now visible under File > Preferences even when a model hasn't previously been saved in Tabular Editor. This means that users can access the serialization options without having to save their model first, making it easier to work with and manage complex models.

Another significant change is that TMDL (Tabular Model Definition Language) now uses the same default serialization as Power BI Desktop. This has resulted in fewer differences when saving a model originally created in Power BI Desktop and saved as PBIP. This change will be particularly beneficial for users who frequently work with both Tabular Editor and Power BI Desktop.

The new release also includes support for the Data Coverage Definition property on DirectQuery partitions, which is essential for models at Compatibility Level 1603 or higher. Additionally, an issue that would sometimes cause an error when opening a model with a DataCoverageDefinition has been fixed, ensuring smoother interactions with the editor.

Further enhancements include fixing the 'access denied' error that occurred when saving a TMDL model using the -D switch of the CLI, as well as setting Compatibility Level 1605 as the default for new Power BI / Fabric models. This ensures that tables are initially reframed correctly, preventing DirectQuery mode fallbacks.

When adding new tables to a Direct Lake model or deploying a model, Tabular Editor will now execute a refresh of the model, ensuring that metadata is up-to-date and accurate. This feature is particularly useful for users who frequently work with large datasets or complex models.

The editor also adds an annotation called _TEdtr to your model when metadata is saved to disk (either as Model.bim, Database.json, or TMDL). This annotation is used by Microsoft to track usage of Tabular Editor and may be required for certain features to work correctly in Power BI / Fabric.

If you're new to Tabular Editor, don't worry – the tool offers a range of resources to help you get started. The official GitHub repository includes executable files, source code, and video tutorials recorded by Daniel Otykier, the author of Tabular Editor.

With its wide range of features and enhancements, Tabular Editor 3 is an essential tool for anyone working with Power BI or Analysis Services. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, this editor offers unparalleled productivity and flexibility, making it easy to create complex models and DAX expressions.

Download Tabular Editor 3 Today!

To get started with Tabular Editor 3, simply download the executable and source code from the official GitHub repository. With its powerful features and enhancements, you'll be able to unlock new levels of productivity and flexibility in your Power BI or Analysis Services development workflow.

Tabular editor 3 github