Tableau recently released a logical data model in version 2020.2, while a similar semantic layer has been fundamental to Microsoft Power BI since its inception. The Power BI “tabular” model has a shared lineage between Microsoft products that predates Power BI (Power Pivot for Excel and Analysis Services have the same engine as Power BI).
Here is the same simple model defined in Tableau (top) and Power BI (bottom):
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Before 2020.2, Tableau had a physical data model that allowed joins between tables. This layer is still present and is similar to the one in Power BI link capacidad dentro de Power Query para unir varias tablas en una sola tabla.
With the introduction of the logical model in Tableau 2020.2, a single logical table can consist of one or more physical tables. Two or more logical tables can be related to each other. This approach shares many similarities with Microsoft's tabular model, but there are currently some core differences that can affect the way you approach data modeling in one tool versus another. It will not always be an easy scenario to apply the knowledge of how to build a data model in one product to build it in the other.
NOTE: This post considers some core differences between Tableau and Power BI modeling as of June 2020. It does not go into detail about the announced roadmap features, such as Power BI enhancements. composite models later in 2020, allowing scenarios such as combining a composite 'live connection' model with additional data sources, or even multiple live connection models.
While not exhaustive, here are four fundamental differences between the logical data modeling experience between Tableau and Power BI:
1) Multiple fact tables
While this may just be a sign of Tableau's new modeling capabilities, the logic model strangely doesn't support multiple fact tables joined to more than one dimension.
In Power BI, it's common to create data models with multiple fact tables that can be related to multiple dimensions, like this:
I'm not sure how valuable a setup like this is (it isn't):
Tableau documents have a «unsupported models”Que ofrece posibles soluciones, como combinar tablas de hechos en tablas físicas. Eso no es ideal, pero a veces puede funcionar. Sin embargo, debe evitarse esta sugerencia en los documentos para posiblemente unir dimensiones: «Alternativamente, es posible que pueda combinar Fecha y Client para crear una tabla de dimensión única». Por amor y consideración hacia cualquiera que necesite usar o mantener su modelo, por favor no junte todas sus dimensiones. Es de esperar que Tableau admita modelos de datos más sólidos con varias tablas de hechos en una versión futura próximamente.
2) Definition of relationships with multiple fields
Tableau enables data modelers to define relationships in various fields. The Power BI tabular model only allows relationships defined by a single field (and that won't change anytime soon).
In Power BI, if a relationship needs to be defined in multiple fields, that composite key must be created manually as a workaround concatenating the fields together. For example, if you need to create a geographic relationship based on country and state, you end up manufacturing a composite key with values such as "USAMichigan" instead of relating to the Country field and the State field separately.
Modelers who have been working with Microsoft's tabular engine may not like it (that's an understatement), but we're used to it. It's reassuring to see that Tableau offers a convenient alternative. If someone starts out in Tableau and then needs to build a model in Power BI, forced single-key relationships can lead to some confusion.
3) Active and inactive relationships
Both Tableau and Power BI allow a single active relationship between tables. Also, Power BI allows multiple inactive relaciones entre las mismas tablas. Las medidas definidas mediante DAX pueden utilizar estas relaciones inactivas y anular la relación activa predeterminada cuando be necesario, lo que no es frecuente.
A common scenario is multiple dates in a fact table. In Power BI, most of the time, you will see role-play dimension settings with multiple date dimensions instead of measures using inactive relationships (dotted line in the screenshot below). They are there if needed though, whereas Tableau doesn't allow multiple relationships between tables.
4) Bidirectional relationships
En una relación de uno a varios, Power BI permite filters entre un lado y varios (dirección única) y también entre varios lados y uno (ambas direcciones). Fuera de casos especiales, el uso de relaciones bidireccionales generalmente no se recomienda en Power BI, ya que pueden proporcionar resultados no deseados si tiene más de una tabla de hechos en el modelo con dimensiones comunes. Existen occasional benefits to establish the direction of the relationship in BOTH, albeit to a limited extent.
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