DAX API
The DAX API enables Cube to connect to Microsoft Power BI. It derives its name from data analysis expressions (opens in a new tab), a query language for Power BI and SQL Server Analysis Services.
Unlike the SQL API, it provides a native experience and superior support for Power BI features.
The DAX API is available in Cube Cloud on Enterprise and above (opens in a new tab) product tiers. It also requires the M deployment tier.
The DAX API is currently in preview. Please contact us (opens in a new tab) to enable it for your account.
Read below about the DAX API configuration, authentication, and using it with Power BI.
See the DAX API reference for the list of supported DAX functions.
Configuration
Please contact the customer success team in Cube Cloud so we can guide you through the configuration.
To enable or disable the DAX API on a specific deployment, go to Settings in the Cube Cloud sidebar, then Configuration, and then toggle the Enable DAX API option.
Authentication
The DAX API supports the user name and password authentication method.
Using DAX API with Power BI
The DAX API works only with views, not cubes.
Connection methods
Power BI provides three methods (opens in a new tab) to connect to data sources: live connection, DirectQuery, and import mode.
| Live connection | DirectQuery | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Data location | 🟢 Data source | 🟢 Data source | 🟡 Power BI |
| Data freshness | 🟢 Real-time data | 🟢 Real-time data | 🟡 Stale copy |
| Semantic model | 🟡 Stale copy | 🟡 Stale copy | |
| Queries |
It's recommended to use a live connection whenever possible. Use DirectQuery if you need to write your own DAX queries, but be aware that you must manually synchronize semantic models as they evolve. Import mode is not recommended, as it removes the benefits of using a semantic layer.