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Add a simple flag to the fields panel to identify fields and measures used anywhere in the report

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Wyn Hopkins on 04 Mar 2022 09:05:48

Would be really helpful if we had a simple flag to identify if a field or measure is used anywhere in the report


Image as per this tweet: https://twitter.com/wynhopkins/status/1499636190320132097?s=20&t=Z-Gis9AGB6e9WnT9KU4vpg


Ideally we'd have all the bells and whistles to identify exactly where they are used like Imke Feldmann's Cleaner Tool https://www.thebiccountant.com/2021/06/27/power-bi-cleaner-gen2-is-here/ but I'd be happy with a simple tick just to get started.


There are quite a few related ideas to this - maybe we can consolidate them all


Comments (9)
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Don Dodson on 14 Sep 2023 15:15:33

RE: Add a simple flag to the fields panel to identify fields and measures used anywhere in the report

Here is a product that has mapped the connections out. https://en.brunner.bi/measurekiller Understand this does more than what you are asking, but it is possible to a point and much more. It is tough trying to see the viability if things are being used and how. (DAX, PQ, SQL, etc.) within the models.Hope this helps!

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on 18 Apr 2022 21:01:36

RE: Add a simple flag to the fields panel to identify fields and measures used anywhere in the report

It is often important to inform the business when a field in a dataset will be modified or removed.

Instead of sending out a blanket email to all users that a field will be impacted. It will be better to identify all reports that will be impacted and then reach out to the creators of those reports to prepare accordingly.

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on 18 Apr 2022 21:01:36

RE: Add a simple flag to the fields panel to identify fields and measures used anywhere in the report

Hi, could it be possible to add a quick analysis button for PowerBI to do analysis on all measures in the rapport and identify those who might be inactive, meaning that the measure aren't used in any visuals and isn't connected to any other measures which are used in a visual or a table etc... It will help with having a organized and relevant field list... As measures sometimes are created and then forgotten about (and hereafter take up necessary space in the field list), It can be hard to quickly asses whether to delete or keep the measure since the history around why the measure was created is lost.
Thanks

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on 18 Apr 2022 21:01:25

RE: Add a simple flag to the fields panel to identify fields and measures used anywhere in the report

Identify measures that are on the dashboard/report and those measure that are precedents/dependents to those on the dashboard, Basically house keeping needs.

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on 18 Apr 2022 21:01:25

RE: Add a simple flag to the fields panel to identify fields and measures used anywhere in the report

As you might know sometimes we end up importing several tables or data fields from tables that we end up not using, which make the report slower.

I believe that knowing with columns or measures are being used either on a visual or in a custom column/measure could help clean up reports after we finish it allowing us to delete unused fields without risking to break the whole thing

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on 18 Apr 2022 21:01:24

RE: Add a simple flag to the fields panel to identify fields and measures used anywhere in the report

There should be an option which lists all the used or unused fields in that report so that it will be easier for the end user to optimize the performance of the report and save time as well.

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on 18 Apr 2022 21:01:24

RE: Add a simple flag to the fields panel to identify fields and measures used anywhere in the report

A way to easily identify redundant columns and orphan measures that are not in use in the model and probably were created during development.

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Ben S on 04 Apr 2022 21:06:27

RE: Add a simple flag to the fields panel to identify fields and measures used anywhere in the report

The overall cleaner tool would be great - akin to a "Hide Unused Fields" button

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Lewis Prynne on 23 Mar 2022 11:34:56

RE: Add a simple flag to the fields panel to identify fields and measures used anywhere in the report

With an On/Off toggle to reduce clutter when not needed.

Merged Idea (6)